Under Construction - MHWA Retreat

How are you feeling today? How have you been feeling lately?
Today was a stressful day to the point that I felt myself losing compassion for some patients. In addition to the craziness of the typical workday, I had three trying patients that were testing my nerves. One wants to get in and out of bed like every ten to twenty minutes and is an extensive assist. When you tell him no, he starts screaming and throwing things like a two-year-old until he gets his way. Another is a habitual lier so it is best never to do anything for her alone. Even the nurse makes one of us go in her room when she/he does anything for her. The third likes to rip out his catheter constantly, spilling his urine all over the floor.

I was sharing a hall of 32 patients with one other aid. It is quite the challenge tending to normal stuff already when we are overloaded as it is, much less having to deal with that other annoying shit.

What are you currently struggling with?

I suppose I answered this in my first response: compassion. Tomorrow will be a better day.

What have you accomplished recently?

Well, apparently I do a good job at work because the nurses fight for me to be in their area. Regardless of the annoyance of today, apparently I operate well under stress.

What do you think about days that are dedicated to raising mental health awareness? Do they work to fight stigma?

Personally, I think only those who know someone close to them who has a mental illness or those who have a diagnosis observe this date. The only way to create change is through a more accurate portrayal being seen by a wider audience within media and elsewhere.

How can people reach out to those who are suffering from mental illness? What do you wish someone would do for you during your bad moments?

Listen without a judgmental or "I feel sorry for you" posture, expression, and responses. Just because we struggle with mental issues does not mean we are weak people. If anything, most of us are stronger than the average person because we have had to work through so much shit.

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