The Pig’s Arms welcomes Algernon.

50^th birthdays

I’m in the middle of a second wave of 50^th birthdays for family and friends. Last week a family member rang to say that the police needed to be called to the 50^th of one of their friends. Their 18 year old son had become violent due to a psychotic episode – related to taking drugs. The lad has been suffering with mental illness similar to Bi-polar disorder. His drug-taking started with smoking dope, I suspect, to ease the pressure of having to perform at top levels in sport and attending a school where none of his friends went. In the end, he was dealing at school. His parents have been doing their best to help him cope with his mental health issues, in silence for a number of years and they have only recently been aware of the dealing.

October was Mental Health month.

I bring this to you as I also have a child with mental health issues although illicit drugs are not the issue.  This child was first diagnosed with depression at the age of nine.  With good therapy they managed to excel for a few years. Recently after starting high school the wheels slowly started to fall off again. Off to the psychologist we went again and made improvements but not as quick as the first time. By last Christmas holidays there seemed to be much improvement.  As the year progressed they slowly went downhill again. Around July anti-depressants were prescribed reluctantly, given the age of the child, however they seemed necessary. One day in August the child had a breakdown at school and was taken home. A parent was speaking on the phone, the child tells them that they loved them and went upstairs. The parent realizing the risk, immediately ends the call and follows after the child who by the time they got to them was attempting suicide.

We live in an area with some of the best mental health facilities in the country; however they seem to be overwhelmed by the high levels of mental health issues that affect the community. I can say that we’ve built a good support network around the child and they are now making good progress.

The hardest thing about dealing with this is watching the wheels slowly fall off, seeing them withdraw from the activities that they love and watch them just hang onto the small things that mean the most to them. As a family, life just seems to come to a standstill.  Generally the family suffers in silence.

Even though people are more enlightened than in years gone by the stigma still remains.  Given how prolific mental health issues are, one wonders why. You also are careful who you do and don’t confide in. Some of those you do will judge, most I’ve found are very supportive. Above all talking with others who are supporting gives an outlet to express yourself and how you’re coping.

We know that one day the child will improve and after recently changing friends who are encouraging to them for what they are has seen the mood change for the better.

Pic borrowed from http://asitoughttobe.wordpress.com/2009/12/06/sunday-poetry-series-presents-robert-archambeau/