How would you improve?

Avatar for nmillerhhi
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
How would you improve?
3
Tue, 11-14-2006 - 4:07pm

Hi
I posted this originally for anyone in Oklahoma but really, I could use input from everyone here.

I have bipolar disorder. I am certified to work as a mental health peer support specialist and I work with severely mentally ill adults. I've been doing this for 3 years and truly love it. I'm also the mother of an emotionally handicapped child (now 20).

As a consumer of mental health services, I have the opportunity to truly make a difference in people's lives. Next week, I am going to Oklahoma to talk with several high level folks in mental health. I could use some ideas.

If you could make any kind of change in the delivery of mental health services, what would you like to see changed, improved, kept the same? Don't let your location stop you from offering your ideas.

Most of the people I work with are 60+. They are retirement age and have been diagnosed for 30+ years and are not really interested in working. They just want to enjoy their lives as they are. I need ideas from younger people who want to go to work, school, get married, etc.

Nancy

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2002
Tue, 11-14-2006 - 4:42pm

This is a really simple thing, but it would make a big difference to me...

When I go in for treatment, I would like to be treated as the adult I am and not some child. My education (a master's) is equal to or greater than many of my case managers, and yet some have treated me as subhuman. I don't like that, and don't believe I deserve it.

I am sure as a mental health consumer you treat your cases like real adults, but in my experience only half of all providers do.

Express!
Beth "Petrouchka"

Avatar for nmillerhhi
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Tue, 11-14-2006 - 5:10pm

Hi Beth,
I always hated that too. I have two masters degrees and hated being talked down to even when I wasn't functioning very well.

The other "hat" I wear at work is Client Affairs Coordinator which means looking for ways to improve things for clients in general. Last spring, I developed a 2 hour training for staff. First, I presented it to our Management Team. They loved it and made it mandatory for all staff. Basically, it was a "what if this happened to you?" I talked to them about treating people as adults and not being paternal in handling clients.

My lastest project is games in the lobby. We have a lot of people waiting between groups. They looked bored to me. I know I would be. So I go on the internet and get games -- just word search, mazes, connect the dots, etc. I have games of varying difficulties. It's amazing how often I have to replace them!!

Nancy

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Wed, 11-15-2006 - 1:05pm

This is a GREAT one. I've been talked "down" to too. Many times.

Better and more pdocs.

Programs to help those of us who CAN function, and work, but still need help with this thing, or that thing...and it could be anything. Help with shopping when panic overtakes you...sometimes I've had to leave it all sitting there and go home.

Better support groups. Maybe where you GO places, or do things together. not just sit in a circle and hear the same stories over and over.

Proactivity. Anticipate needs of clients/patients before the break happens. I had a social worker when I was i/p who could do this, and it made SUCH a difference.