STEPHEN HAVING A CHAT- UNCHECKED, IT WILL GET MUCH WORSE…As a Mental Health Support Consultant to NSW Department of Communities and Justice (Child Protection, Out-of-Home Care & Juvenile Justice) and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) I see the devastating toll that effects of unaddressed and unattended mental illness have on regular folks every day.
I have been providing support to a mother who comes from a good background. A few years ago the mother explained to me that she experienced a trauma (her partner was a perpetrator of domestic violence) and developed mild symptoms of mental illness – anxiety and depression. The mother did not identify with or address the symptoms, subsequently she did not got professional help.
The mother attempted to manage the symptoms by ignoring the – ‘sweeping them under the carpet’. The symptoms got worse and the mother started to self-medicate with amphetamines, cannabis and alcohol.
Eventually the mother ended up with a complex mental health condition. She stopped paying attention to her children the way she needed to.
Heartbreakingly, her three children (five year old twin boys and eight year old girl) were removed from her care and placed in statutory foster care until they are 18 years old. Once children have been placed on a ministerial guardianship order it is almost impossible to revoke.
The mother and I are talking now about mental health, but it is too late. The fear of the mother admitting her struggles and getting help with anxiety and depression has cost her everything.
Not talking about mental illness will make the illness worse down the line – guaranteed there will be more problems. Talking about mental health now will help you seek professional help and equip you for the days ahead.
That will make you feel better 54+45 document