A long list of politicians and rulers throughout time have
had mental health diagnoses.
At some point, most of us will suffer from stress, anxiety
and/or depression. These often come with changes in
one’s
life; i.e., moving, childbirth, a new job; or from financial
troubles, the loss of a job, friend or family member.
This may be how mental illness starts out, but with
proper treatment and/or medication, life returns to
happy contentment again for most.
For others the symptoms are worse and mental health can be
a life-debilitating event. The severity of the illness can
affect not only the people themselves but their family, their
ability to work or go to school, their finances, and the
ability to function as they once had.
The good news is that we are on the cutting edge of change.
Today, we do recover and lead lives that are often more satisfying
than prior to the diagnosis. With many new medications, evidence
based treatments, therapy, and the hope and belief in recovery
by those who serve the people with mental illness, people
can and do recover.
I know this as I am in recovery and moving beyond. What is
recovery? That depends on with whom you speak; recovery is
unique to all.
For me, recovery is seeing my life clearly; having hope through
the many trials and problems life puts on my plate; seeing
a future that I can work toward filled with goals and dreams;
and always having the necessities in life, including food,
shelter, transportation, health, and relationships. Recovery
can be challenging, but those of us who walk this path find
a resilience we never knew existed.
The national consensus statement on recovery defines
it as: “a
journey of healing and transformation enabling a person
with a mental health problem to live a meaningful life
in a community of his or her choice while striving to
achieve his or her full potential.”
The President’s Freedom Commission on Mental Health
reiterates these principles and stresses that recovery is
to be expected. The Governor’s Mental Health Commission
emphasizes recovery as well.
Michigan is in the midst of transforming the public
mental health system to one that is recovery based.
Closer to home, Northern Lakes Community Mental Health
is working to this end also. New grants for family psychosocial
education, recovery, anti-stigma, and other initiatives
aid in this change. The funds are used to assist individuals
with mental illness to recover through various means
such as: speakers’ panels,
community inclusion activities, the arts, and job skills.
Peer specialists across the state are being hired, trained,
tested and certified to work with peers, to instill
hope and share their stories. (Yes, we’ve been
there!) They provide a service to other consumers, assisting
and encouraging them in their recovery journey.
Let us remember that mental illness is real, common and treatable;
and recovery is not only possible, but to be expected. There
is hope!
Leslie Sladek is employed as a customer service representative
at Northern Lakes Community Mental Health. She is one of
the first peer specialists in Michigan to receive certification
to serve as mentors to others. She serves on the Michigan
Recovery Council and the state board of directors for the
National Alliance on Mental Illness.