Wow! Hard to believe that it has been almost 5 weeks since the last time I posted on this page. I have enjoyed the challenge and the work involved for the annual A-Z Challenge. Now it is time to get back to basics. For those of you who may drop by and have not been here before, let me get you up to date. Every Tuesday I try to post something that is relevant to .... you guessed it....wellness. In my case, as I am a Registered Nurse, and have spent that last eight years working on a Mental Health Unit...aka, Psychiatric Unit, I am unabashedly biased when it comes to what I post! If you have the time to go back and check the previous post, by all means do so, but if not, I will try to sum it up thus far.
I am trying very hard to change, in my own little way, the manner that the general public perceives mental health. The negative connotations associated with anyone who has or had an illness of their mind are running rampant! Therefore I am attempting to keep these posts upbeat and light with just a hint of seriousness about a disease or diseases that can, if not properly and timely treated, be very tragic.
On March 13th, we discussed how important good physical health is to proper emotional and mental wellness. There was a list of subjects that would help us to accomplish this and on subsequent posts , a couple were discussed in more detail. I hope to continue in that vein starting next week. For now, though I will be satisfied to just get back in the swing of things. Keep in mind...ooops there's that word again.... that this is a brand new blog (aprox 2 1/2 months old) and I have a lot to learn and hopefully to pass on to you. Please let me know if there are any particular topics that would be of interest to you.
Take care..
The following is an excerpt from a recent CTV video amd news clip, that explains how one man, Steve Stoesz, feels about his experience with mental health issues.
CTVNews.ca Staff
Date: Sun. May. 6 2012 10:56 PM ET
Afghanistan war veteran Steve Stoesz survived multiple combat
injuries, but his biggest fight was a psychological one -- and it was
waiting for him when he returned home.
The Canadian soldier who has been battling anxiety and depression continues to defy what he said was a direct order from the Department of National Defence not to talk publicly about proposed cuts to mental health services for soldiers.
Three days after he spoke to CTV News about his own struggle with mental health issues and obstacles veterans face when looking for treatment, Stoesz appeared on CTV's Question Period Sunday, despite being under investigation for talking to the media.
"I was ordered not to do this interview," he told Question Period. "But at the end of the day, I have to live with myself, and I couldn't live with myself not getting this info out there and making a difference."
"This cause is more worthy than the cause in Afghanistan, and I was willing to die for the cause in Afghanistan to me, so it goes to show how much this means to me," Stoesz said.
He is critical of proposed National Defence job cuts and the proposed closure of a mental health facility in Ottawa, which opposition MPs say will make it harder for soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorder to get help.
While Stoesz hasn't been diagnosed with PTSD himself, he said fighting in Afghanistan took an emotional and mental toll on him. Things only got worse when he completed his tour of duty and returned to Canada, Stoesz said.
"Most of my psychological injuries are coming from not getting the proper physical care," Stoesz said. "Since I've been home I've been fighting non-stop for my own kind of deal, and that's just brought such a psychological toll on me that it's been devastating to my whole life and my whole mental state. I have a battle with the medical system, and then as well one with Veterans Affairs."
Stoesz said he didn't meet the full criteria for a PTSD diagnosis even though he has "14 out of 15" symptoms of the disorder.
The Canadian soldier who has been battling anxiety and depression continues to defy what he said was a direct order from the Department of National Defence not to talk publicly about proposed cuts to mental health services for soldiers.
Three days after he spoke to CTV News about his own struggle with mental health issues and obstacles veterans face when looking for treatment, Stoesz appeared on CTV's Question Period Sunday, despite being under investigation for talking to the media.
"I was ordered not to do this interview," he told Question Period. "But at the end of the day, I have to live with myself, and I couldn't live with myself not getting this info out there and making a difference."
"This cause is more worthy than the cause in Afghanistan, and I was willing to die for the cause in Afghanistan to me, so it goes to show how much this means to me," Stoesz said.
He is critical of proposed National Defence job cuts and the proposed closure of a mental health facility in Ottawa, which opposition MPs say will make it harder for soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorder to get help.
While Stoesz hasn't been diagnosed with PTSD himself, he said fighting in Afghanistan took an emotional and mental toll on him. Things only got worse when he completed his tour of duty and returned to Canada, Stoesz said.
"Most of my psychological injuries are coming from not getting the proper physical care," Stoesz said. "Since I've been home I've been fighting non-stop for my own kind of deal, and that's just brought such a psychological toll on me that it's been devastating to my whole life and my whole mental state. I have a battle with the medical system, and then as well one with Veterans Affairs."
Stoesz said he didn't meet the full criteria for a PTSD diagnosis even though he has "14 out of 15" symptoms of the disorder.
Read more: http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Canada/20120506/steve-stoesz-speaks-out-120506/#ixzz1uEYPUQPx.
I used to QA medical transcriptions and knew dang near every operative procedure, ailment and consult in the books! I think I could pass the exam to be a doctor! lol
ReplyDeleteHey Jeremy, it's never to late to learn.... or change. You always go back to school and I bet you would be a fine doctor!!
DeletePTSD is real. My dad fought in Korea and only recently, since he stopped drinking, started talking about it. He self-medicated until his mid-70's with alcohol. I am so happy he is finally letting it go.
ReplyDeleteMental illness of whatever kind carries such a stigma. It is something that definitely needs to be altered.
ReplyDeleteI fully agree, Jo, but we can only go one day at a time and be positive about it. Thanks for the comment.
DeletePatricia, Sugar & Spice & All Things ? Nice
So glad to hear that, Gail. It is sad that diseases affecting the mind are not met with more acceptance. Especially with the "overseas" wars in this day and age.
ReplyDeleteThanks for you kind comment.
This is a great post...people still don't seem to understand that having a mental illness is like having pneumonia, cancer or a broken leg. The people in the latter category would never be shunned or stigmatized, yet, those with a mental illness face not only the illness but society's scorn.
ReplyDeleteI am so with you on changing the way we view mental illness. I think if people were honest with themselves and actually went to a dr./therapist we would all come away with some form of a mental illness, however minor.
ReplyDeleteGreat post and I look forward to reading many more. Thanks for this one. :)
Love this post. We do indeed need to learn more about all mental health disorders. Just can't even imagine, though how difficult PTSD is on so many of our enlisted men and women. Good for Mr. Stoesz for speaking out and you for having it here in black & while for us to read about.
ReplyDeleteKathy at Oak Lawn Images