Define This...

I am currently a massage therapist, and very passionate about natural therapies, especially the influences of the mind-body connection. Even though I have always been in tune with others’  issues and would have a tendency to read people and dissect their inner workings, I never thought I would venture into the actual realm of Psychology. I am utterly fascinated by the mind for so many reasons, but mainly for 2 reasons:

- It affects not only how we think and what we choose, but has a huge impact on our physical health. Scientists and doctors alike are finally realizing that stress is the leading cause of illnesses. The more negative we are, and the more we allow stress to take over, the more apt we are to becoming ill. As my motto goes, not just in the massage industry, is ‘Taking care of the body begins with the thought’. We have to be actively involved in taking care of our own health by being in tune with our bodies, finding ways to decrease stress, and also doing activities that will better our whole well-being, including exercise and proper diet.

- The mind is neglected. Most of us go to the doctor when we are sick or injured, even just for preventive care if we are smart. We go to the dentist to have our teeth cleaned and examined, and any necessary work that needs to be done. But what about healthcare for the mind? People usually only go to the mental health specialist when they are really struggling with something. Some people are even forced to go (which can be a very subjective issue in itself). But what about this: preventive mental healthcare??? I wonder if we will ever get to a point where that would actually be reality.

For one, our country’s healthcare system has to change. So much for healthcare reform, right? Well, if we had a country where every citizen was provided free health insurance from the day they were born- that would be a good start. We all deserve to be able to take care of ourselves when we need to, but so many people like myself cant’ even afford it. I haven’t had health insurance since I worked for a company in 2005-2007 who could actually afford to give it to me and it didn’t wipe out my paycheck.

Secondly, those lucky dogs who are insured should be familiar with their benefits. SO many people I come across do not know what benefits and services are covered in their insurance plan. They expect that everything is covered or hope that providers will do all of the grunt work for them. There’s something called a benefit booklet and website you can refer to. You don’t necessarily have to go through the grueling process of talking with another human about your insurance coverage these days.

Also, if I were insured, I sure would take advantage of any and all benefits I have, especially natural therapies. Obviously in recent years, such things as massage, acupuncture, and naturopathy have proven to be effective natural treatments for those with a variety of issues, from muscle and joint pain to IBS to stress. So much can be conquered and eliminated, saving insurance companies mounds of cash. (If only they would see this, right?)

Most insurance policies cover mental health services. It’s about time we up the ante with some good ol’ research to prove that preventative mental health care is much needed. If only we humans would know that any type of unexpected or unwanted upheaval in our life is bound to leave some negative remnants and to nip it in the bud before it’s too late, in order to save sanity, relationships, and maybe even lives—- well, that’s just preposterous!

This is why I am taking the forsaken journey into the ‘swimming-against-the-current’ horizon. All I know is that the two things that are being neglected in this country (besides overall healthcare), are veteran benefits & care and more attention for youth-at-risk. My goal for veterans, especially those with PTSD or potential PTSD is to A- Tie in my experience and knowledge of natural therapies and try my best to persuade the VA of the importance of addressing these issues with more urgency, preparedness, compassion, and, yes, open-mindedness.

As for the youth-at-risk, we can’t expect children and teens to seek help on their own when it is needed. This is the most challenging and touchy area of work, but something needs to be done. Schools and parents need to be more aware and more involved. Unfortunately, many parents out there are the issue. Schools have the tools and resources to better integrate these programs, but I have witnessed the lack of utilization. My goal is to facilitate a safe way to reach out to kids more productively and effectively, without overstepping any boundaries. I have ideas floating around, but it will take a lot of effort, strategizing, and even tooth-pulling. I have seen intervention and outreach programs such as criminal deterrence (http://www.aetv.com/beyond-scared-straight/about/ & http://www.great-online.org/Organization/Default.Aspx), and suicide/bullying prevention/intervention (http://www.yspp.org/curriculum/HELP_curriculum.htm). 

We must learn to think like youth in order to understand why they do what they do and know that there is no such thing as a ‘problem child’, only a ‘troubled child’.

My dream is about to begin- it has already started with a vision, but I am more than ready to make it a reality. I am searching every day for opportunities to join an organization, whether it be a paid position or volunteer work, in order to jump on the bandwagon and get some hand-on experience under my belt. Our youth and our veterans need the attention they deserve in hopes to create a better living and future for them.
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One thing I landed upon in looking through the local school district website for research:

Communicating with school staff-

Inform the school of your child’s needs and listen to the information the school has about your child:

• Provide teachers with important information. Changing family circumstances like divorce, illness, or the death of a pet can upset a child’s learning.

• Contact your child’s teacher when you have a concern or question.

• Consider your school staff’s experience and their broad knowledge of children.

• Contribute your expertise, ideas and insights about your child.

• Expect to disagree once in awhile and embrace the opportunity to see things from another point of view.

These shouldn’t be so hidden, but at the same time, these things should be common sense.