This is so excellent.
I am 27 year Patient Advocate for Cancer. That is my passion and way of giving back to help those diagnosed with a terrible disease. In those 27 years, and having a brother in law with debilitating mental health issues - Bi Polar with Schizoaffective Disorder, the other BIL died by suicide. Depression - even though there is slow progress in cancer we are so far behind with Mental Health.
Talking about it with others is great but we are in the dark ages, much like being in the dark by not embracing Nuclear Power. We need a Nuclear Power level push for the Mentally Ill. My brother in law is known to the Seventh Floor Lockdown at HCMC in Minneapolis. One day, with their backs to me, I simply leaned in to speak through the little slot at the bottom of the bullet proof glass to say one thing.
"Thank you. Thank you for what you are doing for these patients as families like ours are not capable of providing this type of care you do. "
What they did and said next blew my mind, they all turned around slowly to stare at me. One said:
"I have been here 20 years and no one has ever thanked me."
That is sad. Our society needs to change in so many ways, starting with compassion.
Especially for the mentally ill. I applaud you and if anyone has a terrible cancer diagnosis. I can help. For free like I always have, I am grateful for the nurses and the doctors for saving/extending my wife's life from an incurable Stage IVb diagnosis when she was then 31.
We are all one blood test away or one episode away from your family being devastated. I am happy to pay for my high Medical Premiums. Stop bitching. Be grateful.
Peace.
