Today, we are amid a global mental health epidemic and the data is staggering. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for ages 10-341, overdose deaths have increased 500% among ages 15-24 since 19992, and over 17 million kids age 3-17 have a diagnosable mental health disorder3.
Parents and Friends, Liz Reitman and Casie Fariello have been in the same predicament as many others, they needed help from others who might be in the same position with their families but did not have an outlet to turn to. From depression to drug use, fighting to interpersonal struggles, together they launch, OTHER PARENTS LIKE ME (OPLM), an online peer support community designed for caregivers of those struggling with mental health and/or substance use issues to address.
I had a chance to learn more in this interview.
· Why is it important for families to have an online community of support if they have a child with mental health struggles? Having a child at home who has mental health struggles is very lonely and isolating. As a parent, you feel as if you are the only parent in the world who is living in chaos, sometimes crisis and fear/worry. There is such power in seeing another group of parents online - nod that they get it or see supportive words in the group chat. A community that shares stories and tools of what worked for them, suddenly gives a parent hope and options they may not have considered.
· Even though mental health awareness is growing, why do many families still feel alone? No matter how many people tell you that you "should" not feel shame or stigma, we still do as parents. We have possibly judged another family at one point and now we are that family. So, we are sure that others will judge us as bad parents. We feel in our bones without anyone telling us that - it is our fault that our child struggles. Honestly, when in crisis? It feels impossible to find time for support - you are living minute by minute - sometimes second by second.
· How can parents and caregivers be advocates for their children in getting the help and resources they need? If we practice what we preach to our children. Show them that we seek help when needed. That we are not ashamed to share our feelings. That we find our own resources for us as parents. The child feels they have permission to seek and ask for help as well. Your child will also begin to see the change in us as parents and want what we have. Offer to walk through resources together as a team - so that the child learns it is ok to advocate for themselves. When we stay out of fixing mode and walk along our child - they are empowered to get the help they need. We can ensure that there are resources for them to discover at schools and communities - empower them to be part of the conversation of what they need.
For additional information visit: https://oplm.com/ or https://ifundwomen.com/
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