Every now and then, the twitter world will get me thinking. Today, people were posting what they want mental health care to look like in 2018. So instead of reflecting on the past year, I thought I might write about my hopes for the future. What do I want to see happen in 2018, in the world of mental health recovery?
Equality in terms of access to care: Mental health care in this country, is expensive. Quality care for those uninsured or underinsured is rare to find. Many people slip through the cracks, because they cannot afford care that they need. It’s hard enough to ask for help, harder when you do not know how you will pay. I know that I, myself, cannot fix this. It will take education, resources, and advocacy to convince the world that mental health care should be a priority.
Awareness that mental health care is as important as physical health care: What if we lived in a world where people could have mental health check ups, just like they go see their primary care doctor or dentist? Preventative care is important, and normalizing mental health care would reduce the stigma around going to a therapist or psychiatrist when needed.
Mindfulness in speech: Let’s stop using mental health labels and terms in negative ways. The terms like “bipolar” and “schizo” that are sometimes thrown around casually, are very serious. Would we say something like “oh wow, that person is really acting like they have diabetes?” No. My least favorite is “he committed suicide” people commit crimes, suicide is tragic, but not a crime.
Education: Mental health care should not be a mystery. Many people, myself included, refuse care or delay treatment because they are scared or do not know what to expect. Maybe in 2018 we can have more transparency, and teach people not to fear searching out care that they need. People know what to do when someone is having a heart attack, but what about a panic attack?
Self love: Much of the language around change is directed at those who not experience mental health challenges. But what about us? It took me a long time, and a lot of introspection to stop identifying as just a diagnosis. I am a whole person, and my bipolar disorder is only a part of me. We are all individuals, and together we are capable of In 2018, I implore you all to be kinder to yourselves.
Destigmatization: Stigma isn’t going to erase itself. Maybe we can start chipping away at it over this next year, piece by piece. In my experience, stigma thrives when people hide. When I tell the truth and bring my story to people, it is humanizing. I experience judgement, but honesty and self disclosure have become easier to me over time. This next year, be honest with maybe just one more person about mental health challenges in your lives. Who knows? Maybe that will inspire them to open up to someone else. Others may hold stigma in their minds, but defeating it is in our hands.
What do you want to see change in mental health care this new year?
Wishing you all a good start to 2018
Alice