Connections

Following Melissa McKinstry's first writing, posted on CMHA Connections, she continues sharing her experience saying, "I have been thinking about some of the changes I have seen in the public mental health system in my forty-eight years as a person served. Certified Peer Support Specialists are a special member of the treatment team, straddling both the world of clinician and person served."

Following Melissa McKinstry's podcast, conducted at the Summer 2024 CMHA Annual Summer Conference, she continues her sharing with this writing. "I have been a person served, consumer, client or patients for forty-eight years. At the age of 17 my parents were forced to seek treatment for me when I was thrown out of high school during an episode of mania. Stigma is real and prevalent."

I never grew up until I was 34 and entering the foster care system. I didn’t have a voice in this decision. However, in Allegan County I finally found my voice and spoke up for myself. I had no support or resources, but there was hope. There is always hope when all is lost - Just keep Fighting!

Instructions for building self confidence and two poems, written by Jacqueline Cuevas, from Southwest Detroit. Jacqueline shares her disability story, through her writing and speaking. She encourages all to embrace their unique story to empower each other and build a more inclusive and compassionate society.

On March 2, 2020, I was awakened in the middle of the night. I glanced at my cellphone and noticed several missed calls and text messages from family members. I soon discovered that my dad had taken his own life in a murder-suicide.

I lost my son Ryan, a US Marine Corps Sargent, to suicide Memorial Day weekend in 2017. He suffered from PTSD and had a very difficult transition to civilian life after leaving the Corps. The first two years after Ryan’s death were very difficult as I was not successfully coping with my grief.

Five poems written by William Walker, from Muskegon County, based on love, betrayal, anger, liberation and freedom.

I have been attending Dreams Unlimited Clubhouse since 2007. Dreams has served as a reference to help me find paying jobs, but more than that I’ve made lots of friends, my communication skills have gotten better, and my self-esteem has improved.

I grew up with mental illness. I thought I must have done something wrong, or it was my fault, or I deserved this. Now, over the last 10-12 years, I have learned it was NOT my fault.  No, I didn’t deserve it.  I had a lot of trauma and as a result I have been living with severe depression, anxiety and PTSD.

I have found comfort in my poetry after I found my 36 year-old son dead. I found him slumped against the bathroom door. I couldn't get to him in time. I wrote 2 poems I hope you enjoy.  I found comfort in writing poetry to relieve my stress.

The Momentum Center is a grassroots movement to create a stigma-free community. Four years ago, in partnership with Community Mental Health of Ottawa County and with funds from the Ottawa County Mental Health Millage, we opened the Momentum Center for Social Engagement, a social and recreational program for people with mental illness, addictions, disabilities, and everyday struggles. It costs just $1 a year to join, and no clinical diagnosis or referral is required.

He, too, vanished like my beloved wife had just done. Days passed in anguish, knowing nothing. On the fourth day the phone rang. It was the police from somewhere in Kentucky...

A group of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in Michigan is working to educate communities statewide about the Home and Community Based Services Rule and its impact on long-term services and supports.

He said, “Paul you are not dumb”. I was ready to hear and accept his words, and my GPA validated his confidence in me. Slowly I began to understand I needed assistance with writing and taking tests.

This was the turning point in my life and from that point on I was determined to overcome my diagnosis. I started attending every class and therapy session available to me. It was at that time that I started to communicate with my doctors and ask more questions...

A few months into the job I was doing a "check in" with a student at his school. When I asked the teacher to speak with him the teacher said, "I don't know why you waste your time with him - its a lost cause." Nineteen years later I still remember that moment and it is the reason I went back to school to become a teacher.

People said, “That cat sure came to the right place, he’s being treated link a king!”  This was true, but as I watched I was thinking about what the cat was doing for us. 

The Court ruled that I do not need a guardian “based on my ability to use SDM to make decisions about my life, and the support and care I receive from my family and caregivers.” With those words, I became the first Michigander to be authorized by a court to use Supported Decision-Making instead of being put in guardianship.

"Yet it’s equally true that your personal experience and your guidance – your advocacy – is essential to those who may want to do the right thing but not know what that is or how to achieve it."

I first experienced symptoms of schizophrenia in 1976 when I was employed with a Fortune 500 Company. I had just been promoted from my administrative assistant job to a marketing position. I had to move my entire household along with my two dogs, from New York to Michigan to take this job in just one months’ time.

Glance up again at the title, CREATE A MOMENT TO THRIVE… You may well be thinking, “How can I possibly thrive if I’m struggling just to survive?” That’s a question I’ve had to ask myself over and over – not just today but for decades.

The year 2020 brought a global pandemic and life-altering change for all of us. COVID-19 emergency measures in Michigan saw schools and businesses closed, employees furloughed, and directives to shelter in our homes to stay safe. The stress of day-to-day living with the unknown and the threat of serious illness for ourselves and our loved ones is taking its toll. The feelings of exclusion, limitation and possibly loneliness forced upon us by the mitigation efforts are well known to a large swath of Americans. For many of us, though temporary, they feel interminable. However, for people with mental illness or intellectual and developmental disabilities, these feelings can, in fact, last a lifetime.

It’s been a tough year! How are you doing? As of this writing, the pandemic is “officially” over. However, it feels like the ravages of the COVID-19 Pandemic have affected every dimension of our existence.

I practice choosing to: awaken, before my feet hit the floor, stating my gratitude for life itself with all I need provided for me; read an inspirational passage; set my intention to cultivate a curiosity about life in all its forms and understanding; and nurture my mind, body and spirit. I incorporate all this to begin each day creating my peacefulness within.

Thank you for the honor to contribute our experience with the public mental health system to Connections for Communities that Care. My husband Richard and I have been involved with the mental health system since community mental health was first legislated in the form of Act 54 of 1963. During this period of over 50+ years, we have been part of the roller coaster ride of change, separately, together, and as a family, leading up to current practices consistent with the “System Integrity and Design Principles” adopted by the Community Mental Health Association (CMHA).