A milestone of an event occurred today... graduation ceremony from Howie the Harp!
This year, I completed the 500-hour training course at Howie the Harp, and am now 2/3rds done with my internship. This graduation was a time where we came together to celebrate our successes thus far, and also to encourage ourselves in our new career as peer specialists. Among all the keynote speakers and class speakers and this and that speakers, I was invited to go up to the front and play my guitar. I performed an original song that I wrote, called "Muse." It went over well.
Right now, though, I would like to avoid making this blog entry resemble a "journal." The purpose of this blog is not for me to share or vent my personal musings here. There is more to be accomplished than that. Everything written here should return to the ultimate purpose I would like to reach towards. The ultimate purpose of educating readers in how to think about mental health issues creatively.
Yes. Creatively. Too often, I hear opinions on both sides. "Medications are evil! They destroy lives!" or "Meds are the only way! People should have access to them!" Many persons are on one side or the other. Their personal experiences dictate their opinions, and very few persons can put themselves in the other sides' shoes. I always wonder: why are people so inflexible? Why are people so confident that they have the answer? Why do people think they are correct, and that dissidents are wrong?
It is a good thing that there are many people who are passionate about the mental health field. Whether they agree or not is irrelevant. It is actually good that there are people on both sides, because this prompts dialogue. If everyone agreed on the issues, no one would find it necessary to converse. Debate not only serves to educate, it also keeps the mind fresh. Fresh, because one needs to always devise new arguments, new angles of perspective to prod the opponent's views in weak spots. Through disagreement, we grow more intelligent.
Go Howie grads! Let us go forth and share our stories, opinions and ideas. That is what I plan to do.
I'm truly greatful for a forum like this. I would take 1000 pills in order to maintain my wellness. I trust my doctor,and ask a lot of questions . Nothing feels better than having your lifestyle back. Living life,not just existing. Let me take pills.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I take a pro-choice stance. We should have the freedom to choose the treatment we want. It is also important for us to get all the facts from doctors and such, so that we can make informed decisions. A doctor or a clinic with an agenda is less helpful.
ReplyDeleteRecently, I went to a NYAPRS meeting where we discussed issues that we would like to bring to Albany next year. It was very productive. There were a couple of doctors on the panel, talking about the benefits of respite centers. I asked a question, regarding what they would do if they had a person in a respite center who would benefit from going to an inpatient hospital unit. The woman answered, "The treatment team at the respite center would determine if the client would need to receive those services." RED FLAG. The only person making this decision should be the CLIENT. We should not be throwing away the baby with the bathwater. A respite center is a beautiful idea. But a person should NOT be denied more acute treatment in an effort to "preserve his/her rights."
Like I said, pro-choice.