Powerlessness, a feeling that is of near consensus when
speaking of how mental health challenges are experienced. Caregivers and those
with lived experience, at any given time can feel a sense of discouragement for
a variety of reasons. Wait lists, lack of services, early discharge dates,
narrow treatment options and common experience of feeling unheard are just some
of the discouraging realities blocking families from receiving appropriate care
and eventual stability. These are merely tipping points that exceed the social,
racial, cultural, religious, political challenges that families may experience
on a subjective level. As expressed by one client “It feels like scaling a
mountain side that continues to grow. The closer we get to the top, the higher
the peak seems to be. We never summit, we just always seem to climb.”
Rather poetically, such a metaphor describes beautifully
such a common issue. One that is wrought with the additional challenges as
illustrated. Confronting such feelings of vulnerability places caregivers in a
situation of fragility, where all fears, anxieties and uncertainties are
brought to the forefront of discussion. It is an experience shared by many,
understood by few and viewed as being impossible to address. Such an emotional,
social and psychological challenge calls for an approach that encompasses both
realism and idealism. Just as in scaling the elevations of a mountain, balance
is crucial.
There is no easy way to approach mental health challenges.
Despite severity, everyone experiences stress, sadness, grief and anxiety. Only
when there is an unbalance; biologically, socially and emotionally, do we see
the formation of disorders and progressive detriment to ones’ psyche. Such
taxing factors can be discouraging and are, both personally and publicly the
root of many challenges faced by families and their loved ones. These are known
factors, they in many cases are absolute experiences and with that become the
primary focuses that impede families. Fixating on the stressors distracts of
the overall goal.
