Last Thanksgiving, I wrote a blog article about the importance of home to your mental health. I talked about how whether your home was with certain people or in a place, being at home could help you cope. Home is something valued by all people. Being Jewish, I was always touched by the seder at Passover. At Passover, Jewish people declare: "Next year in Jerusalem..." as part of the service. This is simply another way of saying, next year we will be home. Feeling at home makes a difference. Last year, I was in Orlando. I was far away from my small family because my daughter is in Tennessee. I was uncertain about how I would get back to my home. During a very tough year, the most important thing I held on to was the dream that I could go home.
In the past year, I took a risk and made the move. It has been wonderful. I feel at home again. I'm looking forward to this holiday season because I'll be spending it with family. At home. Feeling at peace. I have to admit, the change has made a lot of difference for me. I've been able to get medical care because I'm insured. So, I take medicine regularly. I have a job I enjoy. I spend regular time with family. I have new friends. I'm in a place of my own. While I'm not making huge amounts of money, I'm able to provide for myself.
From this, I've been reminded of the importance of home. In my case, it definitely made my life much easier to return home. But I'm lucky. I have family. I have support. I'm not alone. As I made the move back to Tennessee, I had an actively supportive daughter to rely on. As we head into this holiday season, I'm remembering the impact that mental illness has on other people and families. Many families are fractured by a mentally ill family member. The mentally ill sometimes exhaust support systems. They may become homeless and lose contact with family. Recovery is difficult in any case, but it is made more difficult when people feel disconnected and separated from support.
My experience last year, prior to moving back home was a reminder to me of how difficult being away from a support system really is. It impacted my mood. It also impacted my ability to fight my depression. The difference for me was almost immediate after I came back to Tennessee. I felt safe and cared for. I had people surrounding me and encouraging my recovery. It was amazing. But I realize that not every person living with mental illness is as lucky as I was. I realize the pain of facing a holiday season without loved ones. I recognize the gift that support really is. So, here is what I would suggest: If you have a loved one living with mental illness and you have physically or emotionally lost contact, now is the time to do what you can to reconnect. Bring your loved one back home. Reach out and take the first steps towards healing that relationship. You'll be amazed at how much impact you can have in their life. The holidays can be a time for reconnection and renewal. But only if you make the effort and make it so. And you still have time to do so.
In the past year, I took a risk and made the move. It has been wonderful. I feel at home again. I'm looking forward to this holiday season because I'll be spending it with family. At home. Feeling at peace. I have to admit, the change has made a lot of difference for me. I've been able to get medical care because I'm insured. So, I take medicine regularly. I have a job I enjoy. I spend regular time with family. I have new friends. I'm in a place of my own. While I'm not making huge amounts of money, I'm able to provide for myself.
From this, I've been reminded of the importance of home. In my case, it definitely made my life much easier to return home. But I'm lucky. I have family. I have support. I'm not alone. As I made the move back to Tennessee, I had an actively supportive daughter to rely on. As we head into this holiday season, I'm remembering the impact that mental illness has on other people and families. Many families are fractured by a mentally ill family member. The mentally ill sometimes exhaust support systems. They may become homeless and lose contact with family. Recovery is difficult in any case, but it is made more difficult when people feel disconnected and separated from support.
My experience last year, prior to moving back home was a reminder to me of how difficult being away from a support system really is. It impacted my mood. It also impacted my ability to fight my depression. The difference for me was almost immediate after I came back to Tennessee. I felt safe and cared for. I had people surrounding me and encouraging my recovery. It was amazing. But I realize that not every person living with mental illness is as lucky as I was. I realize the pain of facing a holiday season without loved ones. I recognize the gift that support really is. So, here is what I would suggest: If you have a loved one living with mental illness and you have physically or emotionally lost contact, now is the time to do what you can to reconnect. Bring your loved one back home. Reach out and take the first steps towards healing that relationship. You'll be amazed at how much impact you can have in their life. The holidays can be a time for reconnection and renewal. But only if you make the effort and make it so. And you still have time to do so.
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