Pleasently Pleased

From time to time we have special trainings at the crisis center. It is a way for the staff to learn new techniques, for administration to impose new regulations or approaches - as was the case yesterday - and for the staff to get a break from the hectic pace of their units and interact in a relaxed state with one another.

RCCS I believe was the approach taught, is the focus of listening to a client and being aware of their power being taken from them. It is easy to forget how difficult it is when somebody takes away items you enter a facility with. At first we ask, "Do you have any sharp objects, weapons, or lighters on you?" If so, they are taken away and given back upon discharge. I would be taken back a bit if items were taken from me, "My Items", and would wonder what in the hell I was setting myself up for.

It is an interesting experience to be locked into a facility for a few hours since the front doors are closed and patrons need to be let in and out due to the overall facility being a psychiatric ward. There are people who have lived at this site for years. I would wonder, especially if I had a severe mental illness, if I too would get admitted there.

Now in a controlled environment, we monitor what is seen on the television, we close the office doors to talk about the clients in private - further separating the staff from client, and we force them to use a wall unit to light cigerettes on in the back patio. In moments these people are thrust into an institutionalized setting.

Being aware of this is the first step, making people comfortable, talking with them in a friendly manner and listening to their needs and desires was the thrust of the training. So often social workers fail in this very important area. How often do we thrust our will onto somebody and treat them like we have hundreds, even thousands of others, and turn this facility into an assembly line? Our company wants to honor each client and look at them as unique individuals first off, and wants to give each indivual the opportunity for that special "Ah ha moment" in which they get clarity into improving their life path and a desire to achieve real goals for themselves. What percentage of the folks we see are able to achieve this? You would be surprised with the advance in medication, and the power of a simple human to human connection.

So with renewed hope, and a nice one day break, I face this day with an open mind and heart, knowing full well that some psychotic individual, on the edge of having a break down will cross my path. Just another day in paradise for me.

May you all have great mental health.