Earlier this month, I went along to an event in Melbourne’s western suburbs. It is a casual affair held every 3 months for people living with a mental health issue(s) and their support workers.
I was there in my role as outreach worker, though mainly to help with setting up the tressle tables and to listen to the folks invited to speak.
The theme of the day was ‘Recovery Happening’, and these words were arranged in a colourful display on a big spread of cloth in the church hall where it was held.
It was also ‘R U OKAY’ day, and as we sat at the tables waiting for the speakers, we were discussing ‘what does being okay mean for you?’
It’s a good question, and for some people being okay meant simply waking up in the morning.
For others, being okay meant being able to enter a shopping centre without having a panic attack, or finally feeling like they are finding a
better medication, nutrition, exercise, life balance. I was having a yap with one gentlemen (let’s call him Jim) about the relationship between medication and motivation.
Jim is living with Schizophrenia, and said he lives a full meaningful life now that he has learnt to manage and understand it.
He was saying it has been a huge challenge just to find the best balance for him with the medication dosage required to help him maintain good mental health and being able to feel motivated to follow his dreams. Jim pointed to the window and said. “Life is out there. You’ve got to get out there and get imvolved.
Take back your precious life. Life doesn’t have to be that we are medicated up so much that we are dozing off in front of the same t.v. show every day.
No. Life is out there, outside that window, that door, and we must go for it”.
Inspiring words Jim, thank you. Recovery Happening indeed!
Kick some arse today in your own way reader.
Greg. \M/H.
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