Mental Health Practices: What Are We Doing Right?

As a society, we are gradually moving towards a more enlightened understanding of mental health. One significant change is the growing acceptance that individuals suffering from depression, anxiety, or other disorders are not 'crazy.' My personal insight aligns with this view; during my last extensive interview with the doctor, he noted that I was one of the most cognitively aware individuals he had interviewed, which is a far cry from being 'crazy.'

Medications and Social Security Disability

Medications play a crucial role, though they are blunt instruments. Antipsychotics, in particular, have significantly improved my quality of life. They allowed me to return to typing this article and living semi-normally with hopes and dreams. Social Security Disability (SSDI) has also been a godsend. As someone who was previously solidly upper-middle class, the SSDI benefits have allowed me to sustain a semi-middle-class lifestyle. Moving to New Mexico offers the potential for a better standard of living.

The Road to Recovery

While the medical model has achieved a 5% full recovery rate for serious mental illnesses, a 80% recovery rate has been observed when mental illness is defined as 'that which takes place in the spaces between people.' Factors like social work and psychotherapy are fundamental in this process. In the case of the medical model, antipsychotics have played a critical role in my recovery, enabling me to live a more functional life.

Psychotherapies and Community-Based Care

Psychotherapies have shown promising results, and the concept of psychiatric reform is gaining traction. This includes the abolition of psychiatric hospitals, replaced by community and open-day hospitals for chronic, multidisciplinary treatment. This approach, part of the Anti-Manicomial Movement, aims to provide more personalized and community-based care. Additionally, the decriminalization of drug use and the legalization of marijuana have contributed to a more progressive and accepting attitude towards mental health.

Conclusion and Future Outlook

While we are making strides in mental health practices, there is still much work to be done. Addressing passive symptoms, such as listlessness and apathy, remains a challenge. If more attention were directed towards human interventions, like assigning social workers for weekly support, I believe I could be more functional. The path forward involves advocating for comprehensive mental health policies and supporting community-based care models that prioritize holistic well-being.