I was co-facilitating NAMI Connections yesterday, and a member of the group revealed suicidal feelings because of the deaths of two people close to him recently. Following the Facilitator procedure for handling "hot potatoes," I decided to "own" the issue by mentioning my own struggles with suicidal desires. Shaun wanted me to share how I had "dealt" with those feelings, meaning, how had I gotten through, or ended, them. Not really thinking, I endorsed Shaun's approach by responding with something generic (I usually try to find someone to talk to).
What I wish I had said is that one doesn't necessarily have to get through such feelings. Why can't I have the courage of my convictions? I don't think that anyone has the right to tell anyone else that they have to live until they die not of their own choosing. No one gets to say how much pain another person has to handle.
Shaun won't follow the "NAMI model," which is frustrating. I don't think that facilitators should just do whatever. And one of the other people who seems to have become a regular member doesn't even seem to have mental illness. He bothers me, because he keeps coming on to me. Thank goodness Valerie gave me some good advice about how to get him off of me. It's amazing that I don't have the skills to tell someone that they can't have my phone number, or that I don't want to go out with them. I should pose a question to the Connections monthly conference calls regarding people who come, and don't have mental illness. Obviously we can't ask. But he never mentions a diagnosis, or medication, or any treatment he receives, etc. All he talks about is how he was teased when he was 15.
The fact that I co-facilitate means that I only get two meetings a month at which to participate as a regular member. Yet, it seems that I am forever being asked to co-facilitate at that meeting, as well. I said "no," last time.
My cold kept me up half the night. I know I should take cough medicine, but I hate how it tastes. It is 7:30 a.m. now. It would be great to get started on my class.
Why do I want to read what I've written? Do I really have 182 views, or is that just spam? Edie is "featured" on Google Plus, whatever that exactly means. The point is that she has a lot of followers, despite her symptoms. She go, girl! I wish I knew her last name, so that I could find her. Maybe I will just Google "math adhd." Don't you love insomnia? It creates almost a state of euphoria.
What I wish I had said is that one doesn't necessarily have to get through such feelings. Why can't I have the courage of my convictions? I don't think that anyone has the right to tell anyone else that they have to live until they die not of their own choosing. No one gets to say how much pain another person has to handle.
Shaun won't follow the "NAMI model," which is frustrating. I don't think that facilitators should just do whatever. And one of the other people who seems to have become a regular member doesn't even seem to have mental illness. He bothers me, because he keeps coming on to me. Thank goodness Valerie gave me some good advice about how to get him off of me. It's amazing that I don't have the skills to tell someone that they can't have my phone number, or that I don't want to go out with them. I should pose a question to the Connections monthly conference calls regarding people who come, and don't have mental illness. Obviously we can't ask. But he never mentions a diagnosis, or medication, or any treatment he receives, etc. All he talks about is how he was teased when he was 15.
The fact that I co-facilitate means that I only get two meetings a month at which to participate as a regular member. Yet, it seems that I am forever being asked to co-facilitate at that meeting, as well. I said "no," last time.
My cold kept me up half the night. I know I should take cough medicine, but I hate how it tastes. It is 7:30 a.m. now. It would be great to get started on my class.
Why do I want to read what I've written? Do I really have 182 views, or is that just spam? Edie is "featured" on Google Plus, whatever that exactly means. The point is that she has a lot of followers, despite her symptoms. She go, girl! I wish I knew her last name, so that I could find her. Maybe I will just Google "math adhd." Don't you love insomnia? It creates almost a state of euphoria.
