Gratitude for my village - "In sickness and in health."

I was admitted into hospital via a visit to the emergency ward 3 weeks ago.  A few days earlier I had visited a GP, and was sent on my way following a very brief consultation.  "You will be in pain for many many days yet", he explained.  "But it will resolve in time.  Surgeons don't tend to like to intervene in these situations."

"Fair enough", I thought.   "Harden up, Kate.  It will pass.   You just need to cope with it for a few days - there are people far worse off in the world than you!"  

I gave myself a pat on the back as I'd done the right thing and attended a GP and not just ignored the situation.  I'd promised a  friend of mine the evening before that I would go to the doctor.  "I am so lucky to have a friend who is a nurse...." I had thought to myself.   "There are so many people who don't have a friend they can go to for guidance and advice during a somewhat sensitive health-related situation......Your village is working for you, Kate. You had easy access to informal and formal medical guidance.  You are very lucky."

Three days later my level of gratitude toward my informal village hit its peak when the same friend gently insisted she take me to the emergency ward. I was admitted and placed on a surgical list for the following day. I had now successfully been linked to receive the (surgical) treatment I needed.  

I subsequently had three nights in hospital to reflect upon what had unfolded.   My strongest reflection was that my experience was a close parallel to the experiences of thousands of people in Australia every day - but the difference was I had someone in my village that I could turn to who I trusted, who had the knowledge to direct me in the right direction to receive the care and treatment I needed.  

I find it somewhat unfathomable that 65% of people who have a mental health condition in Australia do not access the treatment they need.  The human cost to those individuals and families does not reflect well upon us as a community.  

I imagine thousands of people who deep down inside are saying to themselves "I don't quite feel like myself....but if I'm honest I'm not sure exactly the last time I remember feeling at my best.  Isn't this how everyone feels these days?  It's not that big a deal...." and my mind then turns to the many broken relationships where people believed they "just grew apart", the kids who will never have the opportunity to know their parents true selves when they are "well", the teams that never quite reach their full potential due to bubbling (or open) conflicts and disconnections - and I take a deep breath and strengthen my resolve to continue to educate and raise awareness on mental health issues, as well as fight the stigma that exists in our community.  

With more education and awareness, and less stigma, our villages will have many more knowledgeable people who will gently insist, at the right time, and in the right way, that people seek the professional care and treatment they need.  As well as continue to be there and suggest next steps, if the first instance of reaching out for help doesn't quite work out as hoped.  

I imagine workplaces across Australia where people will say to themselves:

"I am so lucky to have a manager and colleagues who understand enough about mental health that they talked to me about their observations and concerns....and I am so grateful for the guidance and advice I was given (during a somewhat sensitive time in my life), that directed me to the right professional care and treatment I needed......My workplace village worked for me.  I am very lucky."

I encourage anyone who reads this to reflect on their own villages - both personal and professional.  What can you do to help your villages understand and respond more effectively to mental health issues?  How can you build trust and knowledge such that your villages, and all the people in those villages, can be at their best?