Y'know after reading everyones responses and they are many and varied and all a valid, I could'nt help but think
How about teaching folk what to say.
It's always uphill when you teeling people what not to do. It's easier and more fun to explain what to do.
I learned this as a parent. As a parent this is a lot of " don't do this , Don't do that"
When I'm referred as a CONSUMER I simply say "call me a client", or in hospital a "patient".
If I why
I just say that consumers choose what and how they buy.
I don't get that choice.
I don't choose to be mentally ill. Therefore I am a client/ patient.
The group sampling on this discussion clearly indicates a worldly intelligent and wise bunch.
I'm impressed.
People who don't experiemnce this illness trip can't possibly know how courageous we are.
We, who get up, not knowing how we'll feel the day or how often we'll swing that day, we get up in morning and live a life.
We have a new mental health model to work.
The Recovery Model.
It's the most positive model we've ever seen in Australia.
I refer to it as THE GOOD SHIP RECOVERY. I make the decisions, and I pass them onto a crew whose job it is to facilitate those outcomes.
It's a new process
Still working out the kinks and the logistics. We know it'll be cheaper to hire 5 000 new workers in the field over ten years than it will be to maintain the levels of hospitalisation over the same period.
Many of us will remain symptomatic for our lifespan. But recovery is independant of that.
It's quality of life. How worthwhile your life can be.
So remember that when people say the wrong thing.
Tell them what to say. They'll be grateful. If they aren't they are frightened and you can't teach through their fear. So stuff em.
We have a lot of people on our side finally. Some just need to know what to say.
Rember it your Good Ship of Recovery. You Are the Captain. Captains have to explain their directions sometimes. Better that than end up in the wrong place.
Am I making any sense at all?
Hope does endure
Rick
