Hello Dear Friends and Blogging Community – I am writing this as I am about to undertake – well in the next few days – a DANGEROUS pursuit. It will be filled with ups and downs. Highs and lows. I will need to wait. I will need to move up a seat or hardwood bench in a too cold room, for far, far too long. I will confront enemies, perhaps a friend or two, and I may need to come back, again, and again. And I will feel like giving up. Feeling like I can’t crawl to the bitter end. Yes, my dear friends, I am going to go for my mental health treatment in the PUBLIC SECTOR. I am going to subjecting me and my very fragile self to the primary healthcare system in a country probs with developing country status in any and all mental health related service and I am AFRAID.
Now you might say, what on earth is she going on about? That’s no problem? The biggest majority of people with mental illness go through the public health system. And my answer is NOT BY CHOICE. I had private healthcare, but I worked my butt off to have it. And not just for me, but for my children too/ I paid for a psychiatric hospital that had clever lighting, placed quotes etc to not demonstrate that you are like I dunno, hospitalised. The public health system in my country, is BLATANT about the fact that you are NOT ok, and they WILL openly stigmatise through something as simple as the appointment system. For example there is “psychiatric day” i.e. the people on that day, you want to avoid, draw air spirals around your ear in front of the patient to describe to co-workers what they have, mad day. The other way is putting the mentally ill in the “green sticker” line which ensures “confidentiality”. For no-one. Because all the patients who go to the clinic know what the sticker colour means or you will end up getting a good dose of anti-retrovirals for your Bipolar.
I have decided that I will go to to the first appointment armed with things will assist: my mother so she can keep my space in the line (and perhaps people will think I’ve brought her instead of the alternative) while I go and smoke, snacks, a book and cellphone data so I can imaginery bullet journal and get lost in beautiful stationery on psychiatric day. I will report back on the experience of being in the green sticker line. And what mental health has been like for people with mental illness in my country who are a lot more in need than me. And hopefully in so doing, I can make a suggestion or two about the colour they gave us. I’ve never looked good in green. Mentally Ill I can do. Be part of those who support us as opposed to those who don’t. I am 4 M’s Bipolar Mom.
Sending positive energy 💛💛💛 I’ll definitely be looking for a follow up blog on the experience as I too, now have to face this soon.
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Will follow probably next week. I’m running out of meds… And I won’t get a refill in one visit… Strength to you too ❤
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Good luck and well wishes to you! That sounds awful but I hope you can healing as well as you can there! Keep fighting the good fight! ❤️
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Thank you ❤
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The public healthcare system you described is a mirror-image of that of my country (I’m from India). Sending you loads of good luck. You’re one gutsy soul. Would like to learn more from your experience. 🙂
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Thank you. Follow my blog. I try to write as consistently as I can. And best best wishes for you in India heart
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You will get through this! Wishing you healing and sending you hugs.
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Thank you ❤
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Sending you all the good vibes from Canada!! I am from Mexico, and if I had gone to get help in my home country I definitely would have been much more afraid and nervous. However, you never know who you will encounter. Hopefully you have a much more positive experience than you anticipate. Do you mind sharing what country you’re in?
Looking forward to updates!!! <3<3
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Ha! I try to stay anonymous… But Im in Africa. Rumble, Lion King roaring, Africa. And I am NOT going in with huge expectations. IF I get the service I’m entitled to i.e. basic human right that will be awesome. It doesnt happen normally. Will keep you posted. ❤
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Ah I see, fair enough! Hahaha don’t worry I have a few friends who are from Africa so I’m quite aware of the huge diversity of the continent and that it’s not all a Savannah 😛 but still, I would see why you’re so nervous and not having the highest expectations. I still have hope that you will be able to find even one professional who is on the same wavelength as you and that can truly help you. Good luck!!!! ❤
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Was just kidding with the Lion King comment. I FEEL like I live in that movie in terms of mental health reality. And the “hyenas” are the health providers, who carry great stigma themselves. Maybe talking about it more will help me and others. Lots of hugs ❤
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Hahahaha I know you were kidding 😛 well make sure you keep writing about it, sounds like you have a lot to share 🙂
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Best of luck! The past two weeks I have been visiting a friend in the mental health unit for suicide watch. It is indeed bland yet she knows how to make it fun. As much as is possible in a place full of such pain. I hope you find what you are searching for and I hope your system is better than ours.
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Ooohh. No. Our system is actually completely broken. And cause Im slightly um, off myself, it will be difficult to navigate and understand. There are a total of 600 psychiatrists in our country… Most in private practice. Will report back from what happens ❤ and sending you lots of light
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I hope you have a good visit and things turn out better than you expected dear. ❤️✌️
BY FOR NOW
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Will report back. ❤
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