Independent Living and Mental Illness: How Much, How Soon?

When a hug could fix everything...

I've spent a good part of this afternoon yelling at the people who are supposed to be supporting my son as he completes his first two weeks in "supported independent living." This was determined to be the next logical step after doing so well in his group home - that's what they told me, anyway.

Yeah. sure. Where is the support? In these two weeks, he has become isolated when not at work, has clearly (to us) somehow cheecked his meds twice, and has "forgotten" to show up for morning meds once.  He also missed an appointment with his caseworker. This, too, he "forgot"  - and they caseworker let it slide. After the initial move-in rush, Ben has not finished unpacking. I'll bet there are roaches crawling over unwashed dishes in his sink.  I hope not, but let's just say I have concerns.

Why? Well, it could be the stress of too much change too soon. After seven years in Harrison House - where he had 24/7 staffing, 7 housemates, required chores and meetings, and someone to be accountable to - Ben now is expected to live alone, and "take responsibility."  Except for showing up twice a day to take meds, he is left to his own schedule, his own decisions, his own life. Ben has lost his community, his sense of purpose, his structure and his parental figures.  All without gradual steps. It's like they threw him down a flight of stairs and said good luck.

"Hope, Respect and Dignity" : One CT Doctor Writes about Mental Illness

Bridge House, CT

In a recent article in the Stamford Times, Dr. Michael Basso writes about the need for those non-medical elements in treatment for mental illness. Things like Hope. Respect. Dignity. And, yes, even Humor.

He spoke at a mental health day center, where many in the group were homeless. He found that the above elements created an interactive, respectful, fun session. Here's what he had to say about humor:

"I cracked as many jokes as I could before and during the talk and got the patients engaged in having fun. They were also encouraged to make relevant jokes -- perhaps the most important innovation of all. The laughter put them further at ease and the jokes engaged them in ways that helped return control back to them -- called having an internal locus of control"

Lionel Ketchian, Happiness Club

This reminds me of the Happiness Club, which began in Connecticut but now has spread internationally. Lionel Ketchian, its founder, runs a meeting at Bridge House ("a Clubhouse which is modeled on the Fountain House model of psychiatric rehabilitation.