“Mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of, but stigma and bias shame us all.”--Bill Clinton
What President Clinton expresses here is something I have found to be true in my mentorship at Laurelwood. Many of the patients that I see there have nothing to be ashamed of, yet they have learned from society that they are outcasts because they are not the social norm. This is one of the frustrations that I experience at my mentorship.
But it's one of the very FEW frustrations that I experience. I love the time I spend at Laurelwood and am so excited and passionate about everything I've learned there so far. It's incredible to me to know just how much power the human brain has over a human being and how delicate the balance is of chemicals and hormones in the brain to keep a human healthy and functioning.
So far, I have a seen a multitude of illnesses in a multitude of age groups, and it's very interesting to me to see the approach taken in treatment depending on the age and nature of the patient's illness. I have seen multiple cases of patients trying to detox from illegal substances and alcohol. If you ever want to see the damaging effects of these things, take a visit to Laurelwood. The effects are enormous - not only physically, but emotionally and relationally as well. The addictions and abuse pervade every area of these patients' lives. I've also seen some more severe cases of mental illness, like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, psychosis, and PTSD. These are patients that will live their entire lives with these disorders. That is why coping skills, like journalling, artwork, and reading, are VITALLY important.
Some other interesting aspects of my mentorship include visits to the ICU and ER at the main hospital. Here, I get to see a different area of healthcare while still maintaining the psychiatry perspective. I'm learning to read lab reports, EEGs, EKGs, CT and MRI scans, and so much more. My mentorship has strengthened my interest in the field of mental health, and I look forward to continuing education in that area.
Laurelwood
