On Behalf Of An Opportunity

Recently (a couple of days before my birthday) someone I know lost an adult child of hers to suicide. The family had no idea that their family member was suffering from such a deep depression. I can only imagine what that does to a mother.

I have the “opportunity” to know my son has issues with this dark monster. And that knowledge gives me the opportunity to attempt to help him. Which is a line we straddle here every day. How much do we do to help without falling into the abyss.

We are incredibly lucky that we have one of the best alcohol/drug treatment facilities for youth nearby. Before we were even aware there was a drug issue with our son, we got him into the general psychiatric counseling at Hazelden’s youth and family treatment facility. It was there that his psychiatrist opened up the door to the possibility that our son might be dealing with something beyond basic drug and alcohol abuse. Something we didn’t want to hear but needed to hear.

It was here that my husband and I got the education we needed, allowing us to stop trying to control our son’s life. We learned that our son was responsible for his sobriety. For his mental health management. Our hovering did not help him and it hurt us greatly.

But.

A person with mental illness isn’t always the best advocate for themselves. It’s here where somebody needs to step in, whether it be a parent, friend, government-appointed guardian, or someone else.

My job, because I’ve appointed it to myself, is to do research for my son’s future. We are not always going to be around. He might actually want to go out on his own. We cut off his Keurig supply, he might just run away! So my plan, on my son’s behalf, for now, is to begin looking into housing. Not that he’ll ever move out but we need to get the foundation built so that if he wants to go, if for some reason he can’t stay, we know what our options are. Or we’ll find out the lack of options out there. If that’s the case, I’ll need to up  my game a little bit and use the writing talent and fierce assertiveness I’ve been given to do something about that.

I’m just glad that I still have the opportunity to do something and that the rug was not pulled out from under me  like it was for the mom of the child who recently committed suicide.

***

I look at the picture I’ve posted of Hazelden’s Youth and Family Center and it makes me feel so many feelings. It’s such a great facility. I’m so happy that we had access to it. It’s also a reminder of the days of mental treatment and cancer treatment, combined into one very dark period of our lives.

Life ain’t for sissies, that’s for damn sure! ~kitchenlogic

Yeah, you got that right. It’s another original strength quote from me. In case Robin Roberts needs a new one.