A Welcome

Imagine your picture or one of a mentally challenged person on a magazine cover

Your life can change in a heartbeat when you discover that someone you love or know is experiencing serious mood swings or cognitive changes (lack of focus, memory loss, inability to follow directions, irritability, hearing voices, having delusions) that are more than what the average person experiences.

Intelligent, gifted, creative individuals are stopped in their tracks by what we have come to call “a broken brain” and believe me it’s a family affair. Those of us who had high hopes or witnessed the stellar achievements of our loved ones are as devastated as they are: we’re frozen in time of what could have been.

The magazine covers, the awards, the applause come to serve as constant reminders of all of our hopes. What I know for sure, now, is that we’re not doing enough as a nation for mentally challenged individuals. That is to say – we’re not doing enough to PREVENT the kinds of violent outbursts we saw in 2012 by individuals who appear to have been either not undergoing treatment nor receiving needed medicine.

It is not enough to leave treatment up to those in the health care field. Communities need to be engaged via various institutions (churches, synagogues, mosques, etc.) to assure that those with mental health challenges are not forgotten or neglected. We need more than support groups and annual NAMI Walks. While these events certainly help, there are many resources we’re not finding available. What do those with mental health issues do during the day or times when they are not in programs? How do they exercise? How do they socialize? How are they made to feel a apart of the fabric of our communities? Where do they find spiritual growth? Are we showing them how to manage their money? Is anyone teaching them how to purchase and cook food? Are we as a community doing more to divert our mentally challenged individuals from the criminal system?

Couldn’t more of us “adopt” a house or group of mentally challenged people to see that they get out once a month? While we should definitely applaud the state-funded rehabilitation programs that are helping those with mental health issues… my goal in 2013 is to seek more RESOURCES, create more AWARENESS about mental health care needs and generate more social and community SUPPORT for those who somewhat different from so many of us in our society. I hope you will join me in SMILING AT THE MENTALLY CHALLENGED; LOOKING THEM IN THE EYE when you suspect they are “mentally ill.” Let them know they matter.

The year 2013 could be the year we show others what we mean… when we say love is the answer – a time to be present and to care for even strangers.

Be well. Be blessed. I wish you a year of good health and peace. You are not alone!