September represents many wonderful things for our network. It is also cloaked in darkness, overshadowed by feelings of loss, family betrayal, and somewhat grief stricken, for our founder anyway. A healthy grieving process is free of socially structured dynamics, truly unique to each person’s soul, client-centered if you will. Today’s video touches upon this lightly via personal experiences. September is also recognized nationally as Recovery Month and Suicide Prevention Month. The clip begins with an illusory version of Knights in White Satin, once used as self-medication by a young man of twelve. Its soothing music and comforting words became sustenance, heard many times from a Templar perspective. Today, we clear some darkness cast over loss of loved ones, as it has lingered too long! The literal misinterpretation of the song’s wording demonstrates our unique abilities to creatively expresses powerful feelings of loss and grief, while honoring our loved ones who have moved on elsewhere, yet remain forever heartfelt – here, near, and now.
Socially Structured Dynamics:
So, what the heck does that subtitle phrase mean? Who forsaken knows… kidding! It’s what came to Doc’s mind after reading Ritchie’s poem a few more times. We shared it some Briefs back – “Sweet Land of Liberty” by Ritchie Farrell. An accompanying image of sidewalk tents and an empty wheelchair denoting our homeless crisis said something too.
Eviction prevention is on today’s agenda. Our first eviction process worthy of mention is from the family home. It may go by another name, we’re not sure though, please forget about using “tough love,” as an excuse. How many homeless would be housed if allowed to remain where they were raised? Is it our socially structured dynamics sending young, struggling adults away from their safe havens – off to college, into independent lifestyles, marriage to a different home? Maybe those types of dynamics are a healthy part of human development for those psychologically well balanced and stable minded! Why do we include sending challenged teens and young adults into the streets of homelessness? Ah, a few answers crush the human soul! We’ll refrain from sharing such. We’re seeking resolve rather than dissolve here.
Having worked with many parents facing this sort of dilemma, we find that it’s complicated as all heck, not an easy decision. You see, some homes are unsafe environments for young people, some are emotionally unhealthy mind-wise, and some are just plain ole negligent and lack thriving sustenance. To tolerate horrid conditions, a teen or young adult may begin seeking relief. Or put another way, exploring ways to self-medicate. These may entail comfort foods, social media, pixels in general, video gaming, and other self-soothing behaviors, or they may explore ingesting illicit drugs, alcohol, and other substances that come to mind. Being insufficient approaches or socially unacceptable remedies, leaving home to the streets becomes a potentially viable option for freedom. You know, birds of a feather, right?
On the other hand, active addiction disorders are comprised of symptomatic acting out behaviors that may threaten overall survival and safety of a family system and its housing arrangement. Many such behaviors may also place friends and neighbors in jeopardy. One bad apple can spoil the whole bunch here. This is, in part, why VSN is so adamant about client-centered approaches rooted in harm-reduction protocol. In some instances, the worst thing for us to do is reunite those victimized with culpable family members. Now, if living at home is unhealthy for either the individual and/or the family, who is responsible, who is available to help resolve such a dynamic? We see three parties involved that may be worth considering: (1) the family, (2) the individual, and (3) their community. We all share responsibility to resolve a current, non-pragmatic paradigm.
Check out excerpts from Jim’s Bostonian Shadows, meaning a BHCHP tail of hope! Their collaboration efforts are remarkable and walk us toward practical resolve issued in their September newsletter:
- Substance use disorder (SUD) is a persistent challenge for many BHCHP patients. Some were driven to homelessness because of it while others developed a SUD after they became homeless.
- helping them define their own path to recovery and work toward their goals for healthier living.
- led him to struggle while admitted for care, and he would often self-discharge back to the streets.
- Over time, consistent engagement with our outpatient teams, including the low-threshold Supportive Place for Observation and Treatment (SPOT) drop-in program, gave William the support and confidence to enroll in a SUD treatment program outside of BHCHP.
- The journey to recovery can be winding for our patients, and we remain committed to standing beside them every step of the way. (BHCHP September News, thanks Jim and Team…)