Navigating the Mental Health Maze: Part Two

The reality is silence is not golden when it comes to mental health disorders. Maybe if someone had spoken up and intervened, the man or woman who sleeps under the bridge would not be there. If only there had been conversations with him/her about his/her behaviors and mental health state, feelings, and other emotional and psychological past and present experiences, other options could’ve been accessed. So many of our homeless population suffer from mental health disorders. Too often, no one hears their cries, no one seems to listen, and very few reach out to help them address their mental health needs.

Although he wasn’t homeless, maybe my son-in-law, who was a star football player, coach, and graduate of the prestigious Morehouse College would still be alive if family members and close friends would have confronted him about many of his unstable behaviors, which he often played down as ‘a joke,’ while others laughed. Because of his statue, his good looks, his strength, and his high IQ, it was assumed that he was ‘just playing’ when he said and did things out of character. He was always quick to say that ‘he was okay,’ when in all actuality, he wasn’t okay.

?What about the father who drinks to cover his psychological and emotional pain and the darkness of his mental health disorder? What about the high school girl who picks her skin until it bleeds, engaging in self-mutilation, all because she has a mental health disorder which she doesn’t understand. And on too many occasions, the adults in her life choose not to understand or to take the time to address her disorder. There are always fears parents have of having to face the truth that something emotionally and psychologically could be wrong with their child.?

What about the woman who continuously puts herself at risk, sleeping around unprotected, walking the streets late at night, engaging in dangerous behaviors? And what about the boy who acts out in school, while being labeled as ‘bad?’ He’s often mislabeled because of the ignorance or lack of awareness and lack of understanding by others of the connection between his negative behaviors and his mental health disorder.

Have you forgotten the Vietnam veterans, the Desert Storm veterans, the Gulf War veterans, the Afghanistan veterans, and Iraqi veterans? Many of these veterans returned home to America, finding a society in which they either were ill-prepared to fit, or one which no longer fit them. Many of these veterans suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other mental health disorders and are expected to ignore the traumas of their military experiences. Sadly, their mental health is often sacrificed because of the sacrifices they made for their country. And don’t forget the pathological liar, who really believes the lies he makes up and tells others, along with his sociopathic or psychopathic behaviors. His thievery and narcissistic behaviors have set him apart from other family members and others in his life. However, the excuse has always been, ‘that’s just the way he is.’ Maybe if someone would recognize, that’s not ‘just the way he is,’ and that something is gravely wrong, his mental health disorder(s) can and will be addressed and treated.

Because of other’s mental health disorders, should we disregard them with reckless abandonment and cover our eyes with rose-colored glasses, as we continue to put our heads in the sand, pretending all is well and everything is okay? Indeed not! However, either we learn more about mental health and mental health disorders (mental illness) now, or those misdiagnosed and those undiagnosed will continue to pay dearly now and in the future.??At some point, you must either stand for something or you’ll keep falling for anything.?

For many within the African American community and other communities of color, to have a mental health disorder (mental illness) means that you or the identified person is ‘crazy.’ Within many of these communities, for one to recognize or to admit his/her mental health disorder or that of a family member, often connotes that they must walk with their heads held down, with shame and/or guilt. And then there is the belief that someone must be blamed. However, to have a mental health disorder doesn’t mean ‘crazy,’ and it doesn’t mean that those suffering from the disorder or family members must walk with their heads held down. It means that those suffering from the disorder are ill, just as someone with a physical disorder.?

The similarity between a physical disorder and a mental health disorder is that they both can be treated and managed. However, mental health disorders are not given the same recognition, the same attention, the same consideration, the same conversation, the same research, the same access, the same levels of affordability, the same payment reimbursements by insurance companies, and most certainly not the same acceptance as physical disorders.

It is time for each of you to pull your heads out of the sand of shame, guilt, embarrassment, and fear about mental health and mental health disorders. Take off your rose-colored glasses and begin to have candid conversations about mental health and mental health disorders. It is time for you to tell your religious organizations, health facilities, educational institutions, and other organizations and corporations that health fairs are not complete unless discussions and screenings about mental health are also included. For some reason, mental health is not seen as a necessary entity for individuals to be considered healthy, and conversations are often taboo.

Contact your national and state legislatures and demand that legislative bills are enacted to ensure equity and parity for mental health treatment and payment reimbursement by insurance companies. Take a stand to keep guns out of the hands of the mentally ill, while not allowing Republicans to erroneously use mental health and mental health disorders as an excuse for white, radical, right-wing supremacists and others who engage in mass shootings to get away with murder, in the name of the mentally ill. They kill because of their own self-hatred, their hatred of and for others who don’t look like them, because of their evilness, because of their insecurities, because of their racist and homophobic beliefs, and because of their radicalization by those evil and authoritarian leaders lurking in the power bases of America. They are not mentally ill!

Often, the mentally ill would like to end their own pain, and not inflict pain on others, and murder children, teachers, and other innocent persons. Demand that school officials not only allow school counselors to become licensed to counsel children with mental health and emotional disorders, but also for all school personnel to have training to recognize not only their own mental health disorders, but also those of the children they serve. Demand that all school employees be provided information and training on how to make proper mental health referrals.?

America must also wake up and recognize that police officers and other law enforcement officials are a microcosm of the macrocosm of society. If there is an abundant number of ordinary citizens suffering from mental health disorders, it stands to reason that there must be an abundant number of police officers and other law enforcement officials who also suffer from mental health disorders. As a result, it is even more important for police officers and other law enforcement officials to engage in intensive mental health training, allowing them to not only recognize their own mental health disorders, but to also recognize and acknowledge the mental health disorders that might exist within those they swore to protect and serve. This is especially true when it comes to them protecting and serving Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities and populations.

There have always been police officers with guns and tasers on their bodies, while operating with undiagnosed and untreated mental health disorders. However, just like the right-wing, white supremacists who kill out of hatred and not because of a mental illness, it’s important to not allow police officers and other law enforcement officials to use mental health disorders as an excuse for them killing unarmed Black, Brown, and Indigenous populations. Unfortunately, Republican governors within America have now made it easy for citizens within their states, including those suffering from mental health disorders to purchase and carry guns without permits., allowing for shoot outs at the ‘okay corral, while using mental health disorders as an excuse for murder. Where is the funding for the mentally ill and not for guns?

It’s past time for America to put its money where its mouth is by providing funding to make information about mental health and mental health disorders, training, access, and payments a priority, rather than an option! Mentally ill individuals and their families should not have to continuously fight for what should be a civil right, as well as a birth right…to be mentally and emotionally healthy and whole. Here is an opportunity for you to gain information regarding factors that can contribute to mental health disorders, symptoms of mental health disorders, as well as organizations available for you to contact regarding mental health and the treatment of mental health disorders.

Factors that Can Contribute to Mental Health Disorders:

·??????Traumatic life situations (death, rape/incest, abuse, misuse, divorce, homicide, violence, etc.)

·??????Chemical imbalances

·??????Other biological factors related to genes

·??????Family history of mental health disorders

·??????Drug/Alcohol related addictions

·??????Physical injuries/brain injuries

·??????Abject poverty

·??????Racism, sexism, discrimination

·??????Slavery, enslavement?

·??????War

Symptoms of Mental Health Disorders:

·??????Mood swings

·??????Flat affect

·??????Uncontrollable crying

·??????Depressed mood (the blues)

·??????Lack of motivation

·??????Low/no energy

·??????Lack of interest in daily activities

·??????Acute stress

·??????Eating or sleeping too much or too little (insomnia)

·??????Disassociation

·??????Extreme forgetfulness

·??????Constant pains not related to physical disorders

·??????Uncontrollable anger

·??????Unexplainable/uncontrollable crying/sadness

·??????Isolation from family & friends

·??????Sense of helplessness and/or hopelessness

·??????Negative addictions & behaviors (gambling, sex, theft, drugs/alcohol, crime, etc.)

·??????Extreme lack of boundaries/no fear

·??????Self-mutilation, self-harm

·??????Confusion, short term memory deficit

·??????Suicidal/homicidal thoughts

·??????Refusal to open curtains & blinds

·??????Giving away treasured possessions

·??????Hearing voices

·??????Overt conversations with self or unseen entities

·??????Lack of forgiveness, guilt, low self-esteem

·??????Inability to perform daily tasks

You will find that the person with a mental health disorder will probably experience two or more of the above symptoms. The most important thing to remember about having a mental health disorder is recognizing that it can be treated and managed. I would suggest treatment with a LICENSED mental health professional. Treatment should involve talk therapy, and where and when necessary, medication maintenance. Medication maintenance should be provided by a mental health professional licensed to dispense psychotropic medications. You and your mental health professional will determine how often you attend psychotherapy, sessions, as well as the length of your psychotherapy treatment, based on your mental health needs. Goals should also be set. The overall thrust of the treatment should be for you to learn how to not only recognize and understand your mental health disorder, but for you to learn to help yourself, as well as how to manage the disorder.

It is important for you to not try to diagnose or treat yourself or others suffering from a mental health disorder! It is not only important for you to hear what your loved one is saying, but it is also equally important for you to hear what they are not saying, when they are confronted with a mental health disorder. If you or someone you know suffers from a mental health disorder, remember that even if you are a clinical mental health professional, you cannot treat yourself. It is neither wise nor prudent for you to try to diagnose or treat friends and family members. Help is only a phone call away! You can learn to live with a mental health disorder and learn to enjoy the life or continue to enjoy the life you previously enjoyed.?

Suggested List of Certified and Licensed Mental Health Organizations & Associations:

·??????The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)?

·??????The American Association for Marriage & Family Therapy (AAMFT Therapist Locator)?

·??????The American Psychological Association, (APA)

·??????The Association of Black Psychologists?

·??????The National Association of Black Social Workers (NABSW)?

·??????The American Counseling Association (ACA)?

·??????The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) 800-950-6264?

·??????The Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) 800-662-4357

·??????988-Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (SAMHSA)

·??????911

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There are other mental health organizations and associations that can and will provide information, training, and direction related to mental health and mental health disorders. And if there is an emergency mental health situation taking place within your life, or within the life of a family member or loved one, don’t hesitate to dial 911 or get to the nearest emergency room. Don’t try to treat the situation and don’t ignore the symptoms; the life you save might be your own!!!!

Where there is a door, there is always hope! And if there is hope, there is a mental health professional who can help you, help your friends, and help your family members to recognize existing mental health disorders. A licensed mental health professional can also help you and others to gain or regain a baseline level of mental health stability! Remember, there is ALWAYS a light at the end of the tunnel! Don’t be afraid to open your eyes to behold the light, to see the light, and to walk in the light of a healthy mental and emotional state of being! Make plans today to seek and secure the mental health assessment and mental health treatment that you, your family members, and your loved ones need and deserve. Everyone deserves to have and enjoy a healthy and positive state pf mental health, including you! It’s time to go get it and live in it!?

?2022; J. Morley Productions, Inc.; P.O. Box 1745; Decatur, GA 30031; 770-808-6570;?www.doctorjoyce.com

Don’t forget to read Dr. Joyce’s blog, titled,?“You Can’t Change Your Past, But You Can Create Your Future”?https://doctorjoyce.blogspot.com