- Category: Uncategorized
- Tag(s): Co-Occurring Substance Use
- Location(s): TX
As a young parent, I read ‘Children the Challenge’ by R. Dreikurs which recommended ‘natural consequences’ rather than lecturing or punishing. My now 40-year-old son was ‘finding his way’ and in the process racked up some strong memories with friends and relationships. Should I have prevented this mind and memory development, I don’t think he would have stood a chance against the medications he is now on. I never turned him over to ‘the world’ but kept tabs, kept being involved.
Now I am a key-caregiver/support person in conjunction with (finally) some excellent medical care. We went through it all — every possible misstep, police intervention, inpatient, mj, even despair. My experience taught me to stay connected — no matter what.
The first 20 years are the roughest.
*Each story is shared by someone impacted by untreated SMI, lightly edited for clarity, never for meaning.
THE ASK
The author’s message for legislators:
I would thank anyone who worked to improve the system in NYS. Grateful. To further expand best practices, I would recommend looking at the UK and Canada: SANE website, mental health swims, CAMH.
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