Wellness Exchange: Health Discussions
"Living With My Brother's Secret: A Family's Journey"
(upbeat music) - Welcome to Listen To, this is Ted. The news was published on Saturday, October 26th. Today we have an insightful discussion ahead with our two guests. Let me introduce Eric and Kate, who will offer their unique perspectives on the story we just heard. - Thanks, Ted, glad to be here. - Yeah, hi, Ted. Happy to join the conversation. - Great to have you both. Let's dive straight in. Why do you think the family failed to seek help sooner? Particularly if there wasn't a risk of self-harm. - Well, Ted, honestly, it comes down to fear and confusion. I mean, they likely hoped Joel's behavior was just a phase that he'd outgrow over time. There was also a heavy dose of denial. No parent wants to face the hard truth that their kid has a serious mental illness. They were clinging to hope and maybe a bit paralyzed by what it could all mean. Fear shouldn't justify their inaction. They chose to stay in their comfortable ignorance and that had dire consequences for Joel's quality of life. When you let fear dictate your actions, you end up hurting the people you're trying to protect. Someone had to stay. - Sure, but we can't ignore the context of the era. Mental illness was something you just didn't talk about openly, especially within a family. It was seen almost as a mark of failure. So of course-- - Oh, come on, Eric. - It hesitated. - Lissavera, they owed it to Joel to seek help. Just because it's hard doesn't mean you get a free pass to avoid dealing with it. - Let's compare this to a similar historical event. Can we look into how the stigma around mental health has evolved? Eric, any particular events come to mind? - Absolutely. The de-institutionalization movement in the 1960s and 70s is a prime example. The idea was to switch from inpatient psychiatric hospitals to community-based care settings. In theory, it was a great move because it implied that people with mental illnesses deserve to live within communities, but the execution was flawed due to inadequate support systems. - But Eric, de-institutionalization was a step in the right direction. It broke the notion that individuals with mental illnesses should be hidden away from society. That's a crucial shift in-- - Yes, the intent was progressive, but without proper community and social support systems, many of those patients ended up homeless or in jail. It was a double-edged sword. Good intentions aren't enough-- - At least it recognized their right to live among us and not be segregated. It emphasized the need for empathy and comprehensive support that Joel's family unfortunately didn't have. - True, but it also meant families had to take on a bigger caregiving role. Often without the necessary understanding or resources, it mirrors Joel's family situation, a lack of knowledge and support. - How does this relate to Joel's story directly? - The de-institutionalization movement underscored societal empathy and the importance of comprehensive mental health services, which Joel's family desperately needed. If those supports were in place, Joel's life trajectory could have been significantly different. - Even with those services, the ingrained stigma was a huge barrier. Social acceptance of mental illness was and sometimes still is a massive hurdle. - Let's talk about the psychological impact on Joel's family. - Eric? - Joel's family stayed in almost complete denial as a way to cope with the stigma. They went so far as to not discuss his condition with anyone isolating Joel both emotionally and physically. They probably thought ignoring it would make it vanish. - Their coping strategy was absolutely destructive. Keeping it a secret just perpetuated the stigma and robbed Joel of a better quality of life. It made their ignorance dangerous, preventing them from seeking help. - How could the family's response to Joel's illness have changed if they had been more transparent? - Greater transparency might have led to a quicker diagnosis and better treatment plans. Talking openly could have allowed family and friends to offer support rather than judgment, creating a more compassionate environment. - It's clear that secrecy is never the solution. Transparency encourages understanding and breeds a supportive atmosphere, which could have immensely benefited Joel. - How might this story unfold differently if it happened today? Eric, let's start with your thoughts. - If this happened today, Joel would probably receive a much earlier diagnosis due to better awareness and mental health resources. Families are more educated about mental health issues now and there's less stigma around seeking help. - I disagree. While awareness has definitely improved, stigma still persists. Families might still face shame and fear when dealing with a severe mental illness like schizophrenia leading to delayed- - We have advanced psychotropic medications and comprehensive therapy options now. These resources provide more effective treatment, significantly enhance- - Availability of treatments doesn't guarantee they will be utilized. Plus, there's a bureaucratic maze to navigate in the mental health care system, which can be extremely- - What about societal acceptance, Eric? - Societal acceptance has definitely improved. There are more advocacy and support groups that laud transparency and understanding, helping to break down the stigma, especially given that mental health discussions are more commonplace now. - Sure, there are more discussions, but many are still superficial. The deep-seated stigma and stereotypes still exist. Until those are eradicated, families might continue to- - How effective are current support systems for families, Kate? - Support systems have improved with hotlines, therapies, and community programs, but they're still underfunded and inaccessible to many, especially in marginalized communities. That's a fair point. However, digital platforms now offer mental health services and support groups, providing easier access to resources regardless of location. - Let's predict the long-term consequences for Joel's family if these resources were available back then. Eric? - Joel's family would have been less isolated and better informed. They could have connected with support groups and received guidance on how to handle Joel's condition compassionately and effectively. It would have fundamentally changed the family dynamic. Open discussions and awareness would have fostered a healthier environment for both Joel and his siblings. - By sharing similar stories and openly discussing these issues, how can we better support such families in the future? - Awareness campaigns, education programs, and integrating mental health discussions into regular health care are essential. Distigmatizing mental illness should be a continuous societal effort. - And policies should focus on making mental health care accessible and affordable for everyone. Genuine empathy and support from communities can significantly alleviate the challenges these families face. - Thank you both for this engaging discussion. It's clear that mental health and the family dynamics surrounding it are complex, but crucial topics for ongoing dialogue.