It’s easy to talk about supporting mental health, but is it too much to ask that we fund the resources needed to provide that and allow them to exist in our neighborhoods?
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What was obvious to me when reading the list was that most, not all, of the counties without a shortage of mental health resources were relatively suburban. They offer numerous advantages compared to urban and rural areas. Good schools, safe neighborhoods, access to healthcare of all kinds, etc. If you win the zip code lottery and find yourself born into one of these areas, there’s a fairly good chance that mental healthcare will be available for you if needed.
We talk about the importance of mental health, but our actions as a society send a completely different message.
As I’ve said many times, I want to teach people that it’s ok to reach out, which means that I also need to advocate for the resources to be available when someone does!
She goes on to opine that very few people in the world can actually provide safety. It may seem like a damning statement, but I believe there’s a lot of truth to it as well. How many of us can sit with others’ stories? Honestly sit with it. Let them share it without having an uncomfortable response. Based on my experience, she is correct. There aren’t many people who can do that. I am glad I’ve had some in my life. I also know that makes me lucky. I strive to be that kind of person to others, even as I acknowledge that there are times when I fall short. I probably fall short more often than not.
