Challenging Ideas of Mental Health
Perceptions can be very powerful. We often form beliefs or ideas based on our experiences or what we learned or were taught. Forming an impression about someone or something is natural and can even be helpful for making decisions, particularly when it involves avoiding dangerous situations. However, while our perceptions can be accurate, sometimes they can be wrong. It’s the wrong impressions that we form that can be damaging, especially in the face of combating stereotypes and stigmas. When you think of mental health, what comes to mind? It can be thought of as something that’s for “those people” who have significant emotional or psychiatric challenges, have been hospitalized, are on state/federal insurance or other government assistance, are overmedicated, and/or are low-income earners or are unemployed or receive disability, among other associations that have been linked to individuals receiving mental health care. Due to this, maybe you’ve believed that mental health is not for you.
In previous blogs, I’ve shared about what has drawn me to mental health care. Also, see my story. Ultimately, I am inspired by the healing and growth of others and what makes people uniquely special. In life we all go through challenges, some more difficult than others (likewise, everyone experiences and navigates challenges differently). Yet, there is power in overcoming and confirming/affirming your strengths. There is also power in sharing compassion and hope with others. I would like to encourage people to think about mental health differently. Consider the support that may be helpful for you towards healing/wholeness. Or the skills/tools that may contribute to success personally and professionally, especially as you seek to assist others in the best way possible. It is my desire to assist professionals, particularly in mental health and related fields, to receive support and be successful. This is the purpose of Whole Leader Group. Sometimes, it’s a matter of changing the way you think.
Unfortunately, society and systems of care have not helped with this shift in thinking about mental health. In my experiences, far too often institutions have assisted in creating the stereotypes and stigmas we see today. As someone who values healthy messages, it has been particularly disheartening to see systems of oppression and co-dependency communicated in words and actions in the mental health field. In these cases, adverse solutions have involved putting bandages on festering wounds or creating greater problems than what previously existed, one resulting issue being the debilitation of people. Consequently, it becomes easier to make excuses for unhealthy behaviors - blaming actions on conditions or attributing actions to aspects of one’s personality that is believed can’t or won’t change. While medication may be helpful for addressing certain medical issues, it is imperative to come face to face with the heart of the matter in order to achieve lasting change. It has been disappointing to find an absence of values such as independence, growth, and success in mental health. I would argue that this picture of mental health care is not what mental health is about. As stated earlier, real growth is needed in the lives of people, personally and professionally. Thus, it has been part of my mission to advocate for change in mental health services.
I am excited for the growth that is possible in the lives of people and organizations as a whole, especially mental health care. It begins with challenging ideas. I would love to hear your thoughts on opportunities for personal and professional growth, the state of mental health care, what you would like to see done differently, and your hopes for the field.
Feel free to share a comment or reach out if you’d like to connect, have questions, or are interested in partnering.
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