Vital Signs

Related Reading:
Indulge Soul
The Violated Soul 

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As I close my eyes and drift away to a land where there is love, health, peace, and blessings. I wanted to take the time to think and reflect.

     The truth is that the recent news of the suicide of both Kate Space and Anthony Bourdain arrived with great sadness. Knowing that this is how Spade and Bourdain chose to end their life, was not only sad, but it was also shocking to hear. It is easy to think that two successful, healthy, individuals who had almost all that they could have imagined in life, would have no worries, cares, and be greatly content with life. However, this is not always the case, and it is not always the case for any individual who has contemplated suicide, or who is successful with suicide. And in most cases we cannot see what happens within a human being, who is suffering from mental / brain health, without some sort of brain imaging. Mental / brain health affects everyone in some sort of way, but when there is a diagnosis - the individuals become more prone to stigma, that is associated with the illness, and it is a reason why many do not seek help, assistance, or engage in discussion with regards to the illness.

    But the problem with receiving any kind of medical intervention is that often the prescriptions are as deadly as the illness themselves. In other words the side effects of prescription drugs for mental / brain health come with a heavy price, one that includes the individual who is taking the medication feels suicidal. A loss for the desire of life occurs. Taste buds disappear, and even creativity that makes us want to create, living, and to be happy diminishes. We can take examples of other celebrities such as: Micheal Jackson, Prince, Robin Williams, or other day-to-day examples.

    The medical profession knows very well what these drugs are going to do, but it is their job to prescribe. But the gaps, re-occuring patterns,  and consequences that are arising from prescription drugs should alert the medical profession, and psychiatry to find other solutions, such as: working with other professional fields such as Psychologists, Trauma therapist's, naturopaths, and spiritual healers. As we have seen and heard, anyone can become suicidal due to life circumstance, peer / social pressures, or even from the side effects of drugs. Paying attention to the signs can save lives. 

   While there is a lot of support available for individuals with mental / brain health concerns, people don't reach out because of the stigma, and also a possibility of incarceration at an institution. Once a person is medicated, anything is possible. The brain becomes vegetated into a piece of nothingness. This is why I ultimately believe in holistic care, and also love and care. Any person who reaches out to a loving, caring supportive being, can be healed. These could also be professionals, such as social workers and psychologists. To have someone to talk with at the level of non-judgment works.

   Healing is putting love in the cracks of brokenness. Trauma or feeling suicidal can happen to anyone. Veterans, those who have suffered from the injuries of war. Post 9/11, Iraq, or any other war sufferers, and civilians such as those from war torn regions. The key is to be aware of the vital signs, triggers, and to not ignore these. Reaching out is the first initial step. To understand that you need help, and that help is available to you. It is when you are supported that you can begin to decide what method of healing is best for you. Medicating is not healing. There must also be care, because true healing is derived from loving the self, the soul, the spirit. 

   Notes: Please note that these thoughts are specifically related to the field of mental / brain health. It should be noted that the medical model in the west has promoted drugs, alternative and holistic healing costs are not covered by social health initiatives, which is why many individuals resort to medicating. The key for anyone regardless of socio / economic status is to stay well informed. Healing is a process, and it can often be viewed as a career in itself. Healing can only begin when an individual realizes themselves they need and want to be helped. 

My thoughts to share with love & kindness. 

Notes: These thoughts were originally hand-written on June 10th, 2018.
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