Category Archives: Mental Health

Articles relating to mental health are in this category. Typically they will fall into one of two categories. Yours, or your child’s. Yes, your mental health is important.

Conversations with David

David called today.  wanting to know what he could do to complete his treatment. So I began explaining it to him. He needs to work his treatment plan.  He needs to be safe. He needs to eat what he is fed and not refuse meals. The thing to remember with David, is that he remembers things that he wants to remember.  If you told him two months ago that he was going to get a balloon on Thanksgiving, he would call you on Thanksgiving and ask where that balloon is.  Likewise, if you tell him a small detail like “it needs to be safe for you to return to public school”  he will remember that forever and ask about it. David truthfully explained that he has not had any violent outbursts for a couple of months. And he hasn’t.  This is a good thing. That doesn’t mean it is safe

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Feeling helpless with Mental Illness.

There are days when I feel utterly helpless when it comes to David.  He is 500 miles from home.   Last week we celebrated David attaining a new level in his care plan.  He has been doing very well. Then came the self-doubt.  The “I am not good enough” thoughts.  And the treatment sabotage began. Today I received a call. David disappeared on his care team.  Took more than 10 minutes of searching to find him.  Once they found him, he informed staff that he was going to harm himself.  He indicated that he had items in his room that he could use.  So staff searched his room. Now, knowing how well David is able to hide things, it doesn’t surprise me that they couldn’t find anything.  He may not have anything hidden in his room. However, it is very likely that he does have stuff in his room with

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