The sick must heal themselves?

An article in the [Sept. 26] Asheville Citizen-Times, “Asheville Area Faces a Shortage of Doctors,” complained that there aren’t enough psychiatrists to go around; it takes months to see a psychiatrist for an initial visit.

The author complained that psychiatric services are scarce in this [region], and that there were no … group homes, no day programs or home visits by mental-health professionals to supervise patients.

I know. When the state reduced the number of beds in mental hospitals in 2001, … communities were expected to pick up the slack with outpatient clinics, crisis centers, day treatment centers and assertive treatment teams to make daily home visits to check up on community outpatients.

But even prior to the 2009 economic slump and recession, communities locked financial resources [necessary] to start up outpatient services.

I guess, at some point, the mentally ill should take personal responsibility for their own recovery and should stop depending on others to heal them when the power to heal lies within oneself.

— Richard Pope
Hendersonville

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9 thoughts on “The sick must heal themselves?

  1. dpewen

    “I guess, at some point, the mentally ill should take personal responsibility for their own recovery and should stop depending on others to heal them when the power to heal lies within oneself.”

    Richard, you have got to be joking? This is one of the most idiotic things I have ever heard.

  2. UnaffiliatedVoter

    I think he makes an excellent and prudent point!

    Sometimes one must clarify one’s own mind and
    SNAP OUT OF IT!

  3. Cheshire

    “The power to heal lies within oneself.”
    How many times a year to you take an OTC painkiller, such as Advil, Ibuprofen, tylenol, or asprin? How about prescriptions: any of those in the past 5 years? This includes antibiotics. If you get a cut, do you use a bandage and neosporin? When was the last time you had your eyesight checked? Do you wear corrective lenses?

    If so, either suck it up and practice what you preach or stop being a hypocrite.

  4. bobaloo

    Group homes and day programs are primarily resources for those with developmental disabilities such as retardation, autism and Down’s Syndrome, not those with other mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or manic depression. There is a support network, funded by NC CAP and state medicaid, available for those with a developmental disability but other mental illnesses are indeed lacking services.
    In recent years the NC legislature has reduced funding in this area and, with the election of a conservative dominated NC house, I expect you’ll see it reduced even more dramatically in the near future.

    How should someone that is born with a particular mental disability should “snap out of it” or find the “power to heal” oneself? I’m hoping the author was being tongue in cheek with that statement, but Bunky, I’d love for you to educate my client on how she should “heal” her mental retardation.

  5. BigAl

    “In recent years the NC legislature has reduced funding in this area and, with the election of a conservative dominated NC house, I expect you’ll see it reduced even more dramatically in the near future.”

    Wow, not a single debate or vote has taken place in the new NC Legislature and already the Democratic party has been relieved of the blame for 60 years of mismanagement of the mental health system.

    Clearly Mr. Pope was speaking ironically about choosing self-help over the decreasing availability of mental health services, but I think there is one area where we should reconsider non-clinical approaches: we now have a record number of children on Ritalin and other antipsycotics. Is it all ADHD, or just parents not wanting to bother coping with normal childhod hyperactivty? No wonder our kids turn to drugs when they reach the age of accountability, their parents showed them the way.

  6. bobaloo

    I didn’t say that the Democratic-lead NC legislature was “relieved of blame”, but considering the budget crisis and conservative crowing about fiscal responsibility I don’t think it’s unrealistic to assume further cuts are imminent.

    Also, ritalin is not an anti-psychotic drug, but I digress.

  7. Mr Pope has never heard the term “the blind leading the blind” which is pretty analogous of a mentally disturbed person attempting to heal-thyself. The arrogant stupidity of some folks never fails to dismay.

  8. “How many times a year to you take an OTC painkiller, such as Advil, Ibuprofen, tylenol, or asprin? How about prescriptions: any of those in the past 5 years? This includes antibiotics. If you get a cut, do you use a bandage and neosporin? When was the last time you had your eyesight checked? Do you wear corrective lenses?”

    Or how about diarrhea…..that something that must run it’s course or be ameliorated with a good medication. But in this case of “diarrhea of the mouth”, there is probably no way this is going to run it’s course…think it’s here to stay.

  9. dpewen

    These folks need to spend some time with me when I am volunteering at Ahope and see first hand the people they are judging.

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