As a mental health fanatic (lol) I am interested in adolescent, teen and young adults affected by anything listed in any DSM ever published. Particularly
Suicide,
Homosexuality
Sexuality
Depression
Personality issues
to name a few
I have been fed with a lot in these 12 months with very useful information.
1. Wallflower http://static.tumblr.com/awxlpm9/CQDm9cqa1/stephen_chbosky_the_perks_of_being_a_wallflower_1_.pdf
The link above is to a book I was exposed to via Mental Health America on Facebook:
http://www.theguardian.com/money/2014/dec/17/holidays-and-the-cost-of-mental-health-author-of-the-perks-of-being-a-wallflower-says-you-are-not-alone
Now I have began to read it. The main character seems similar to my Brian in Bryan's Show and Tell.
2. Elliott Rodgers
He was driven to homicide and suicide because, for brevity's sake, but not wholly accurate (as one's decent into homicidal and suicidal thinking is often not due to a single cause but rather numerous factors that fill a cup which runs over) was not being attractive enough to the opposite sex to break his virginity. It was a sad thing, but sadder, the cause and the extent of his hurt.
There is a lot to be said about the Isla Vista "massacre" but I won't discuss gun control, and inadequacy of psychotherapy (as he was seeing a therapist), but rather, invisible pain.
I am still reading his manifesto " My Twisted Life" and was introduced to it by my bud Ollie. Thanks kupo. Pain and hurt reach deep. Just know that faces often hide the heart's pain. Be kind to others.
Then there is this fact. His hurt escalated. He never, though he was experiencing mental fatigue thought, planned and executed his revenge in a day. It escalated. One might wonder if it could have been prevented had better care been given. Just a thought.
Nonetheless before it reaches that boiling point, as water moves from cold to lukewarm to hot, so can the anger and hurt which may prompt homicidality move. And as one can prevent water from boiling by turning off the stove, so too, in my heart, can these hurt caused homicides be stopped.
I am not the only one. Prevention, early detection and treatment, easy access to treatment, affordability etc. are the focus of the before stage 4 campaign.
Trim the tree while it's young.
http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/b4stage4
Yes, the world needs to pay attention to mental health. Like real attention. Not only do the people living with an unhealthy mind/ mental illness suffer, but the hurt they feel may (unfortunately) lead to these massacres.
Before stage 4 is an appeal to catch mental illness while it is yet a bud. It's easier to snip a bud than a grown tree.
3. Denver's prison, homelessness and mental health correlation
http://extras.denverpost.com/mentalillness/
Long article but worth the read. There are real people with real issues.
Imagine that caption replacing family with profession.
What profession?
Animal care/ Veterinary professions.
http://www.vet.utk.edu/save/
From the veterinarian to the kennel keeper there is a high susceptibility of mental decline throughout the veterinary field. Don't believe me? I'll cite a few things. Not as stats and numbers but as a sad reminder that veterinarians are the highest professionals to die by suicide.
This year, the community lost
Dr Sophia Yin . She became my hero last semester with videos on her behavior training that uses only positive reinforcement. I liked the vids, and her company that made treat dispensers and was shocked when my Vet Nursing professor shared the news. She said sad but casually.
The community mourns the death of Dr Yin, she had said. So sad I thought. I was uneasy the whole day. Well, more uneasy than usual, to clarify. I had been exposed to emergence of Vet Techs who wanted to be conselors for the profession, seeing the need and stress associated with the profession. A nameless Vet Tech created a company that would allow her to focus on the mental health of Vet techs. As an alum of my institution ans LATg (Lab Animal technologists) she knew the fact that.
Animal care in shelters and labs is, let me say, quite challenging to healthy mind. Her company focused on Lab animal Vet Techs. It's not done, her set up, but it is a great idea.
I though the idea was great. I loved psychology and was and am obsessed with the human-animal bond and plan to study animal behavior (sometime somewhere). I thought her idea would fit in with my obsessions.
And alas I have found a perfect career: Veterinary Social Work
https://www.socialworkers.org/pubs/news/2013/07/veterinary-social-work.asp
I can be
Licsensed social worker be it LMCW or LMSW and work as a psychotherapist focusing on animal- assisted therapy and veterinary mental health issues. When I thought and prayed about it I felt confused. I want to also study my Bible more and be closer to God, so I thought a M.Div would be cool. Sure I can be close to Gd without a degree like that. And I seek his face about it.
My passions are being with God when my sojourn on earth has ended, living to glorify Him, helping people to see His love, the healthy mind, the brain and the human-animal bond. I know all things come from Him and so are my desires. I also think of my Jehovah as purposeful, thus my God-given desires are mine for a purpose which will give Him glory and help His people.
Rev. Gordon AR Edwards, Sr., PhD, PsyD, ABD, LMFT, LP -Ordained UMC Pastor, Certified Spiritual Director, Licensed Psychotherapist, Certified Life Coach, Mediator, & Mentor (that's a mouthful) is an inspiration. He is a man of the cloth and of the Psi Chi community.
So as I head into my last semester of studying Veterinary Technology, I am considering what career I want to be in and start at it in baccalaureate studies.
I considered animal science focusing on animal behavior. A career in that field would include playing with baby mice and monkeys! Yay!
I considered neuroscience, and I'd be a smart researcher investigating the brain and depression. Breathe in, breathe out. Breathe deeply.
I considered pastoral psychotherapy where I could help church folk and clergy deal with their mental health and social issues plus be active in church. If I studied Psychology and became a psychologist/ psychotherapy I would help people suffering.
I am still investigating. Nonetheless CSW seems the best option. i could do a BSc in Psychology then a MSW and further certification with human animal bond societies, animal assisted and veterinary social work agencies as well.
I still feel inclined to d a BSW or a BSc in Animal Science
I am still investigating, though I said "Alas I have found.."
I know that Animal assistance is therapeutic: I'm an example. Thank you puppies for being there! There is numerous works out to support it. Dr Temple Grandin speaks worldwide about humane cattle handling and her autism.
I'll make a list. My focus is the end point. What will I do after I graduate? It now becomes a question for me.
Shai, what d you want to do? How do you see yourself in 10 -15 years?
To peruse:
michigan social work
nyu
nyu aat group
http://vetsocialwork.utk.edu/about.php
http://www.du.edu/socialwork/gsswnews/2011/2011-10-28-pands.html
http://www.du.edu/socialwork/programs/oncampus/twoyear/certificates/aaswcertificate.html
http://www.socialworktoday.com/archive/031513p6.shtml
http://www.socialworktoday.com/archive/031513p6.shtml
I will answer in my next post.
Love, Shai
I will be a woman of God. I am a woman of God. I strive to please Him, honor Him and be what He needs me to be. What the kingdom needs.