Our September Stories
An excerpt from The Medication Conversation:
Taking medication is just one of many treatments that people with mental health challenges can try. When I asked [Bradbury] about her view of psychiatric medication, she shared, “There are some conditions that you need medication for and there should be no stigma attached to it.”
An excerpt from Learning from Each Other:
“It has been great to be around someone at a different stage in life from me and who has a different perspective. I have learned so much from Gwen. On paper it may look like we have nothing in common, but we have a lot to offer each other.”
The Medication Conversation
Read the article that appeared in the September 2022 edition of the Front Porch magazine.
Yoga, journaling, and rest are all ways we can practice self-care. Going to therapy is a form of self-care. But how often do we think of taking medication as a way to care for ourselves?
One of several ways to take care of our mental health is taking medication to manage symptoms. Yet medication is often surrounded by stigma and doubt for those who have never used it. Those who take medication for mental health reasons are often familiar with how frustrating it can be to find the right type and dosage – it is certainly not a one-size-fits-all situation.
This is another story in a series in which I delve into what authentic self-care is by having conversations with local mental health professionals listed in Mental Health America of Fredericksburg’s HELPLINE directory.
Recently I spoke with Marisa Bradbury, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner listed in Mental Health America of Fredericksburg’s HELPLINE directory. She practices at the new Ruther Glen location of Grace Health Services LLC. You can learn more about their services at www.gracehealthservice.com.
I started our conversation the same way I always do – by asking how she defines self-care. Bradbury believes that one must know their self before they can truly care for it. She said this often involves a challenging component: “Sometimes you have to be brutally honest with yourself about what you need and what you don’t need, including people.” Letting go of things and people that we once thought were good for us is difficult, but often necessary.
Bradbury provides psychiatric assessments and medication management services, so I wanted to get her perspective about the role of medication in mental health care. “All members of the mental health care team are extremely important,” Bradbury emphasized. Taking medication is just one of many treatments that people with mental health challenges can try. When I asked about her view of psychiatric medication, she shared, “There are some conditions that you need medication for and there should be no stigma attached to it.”
Starting medication doesn’t mean you will be on it forever. Bradbury explains, “Some people need medication for a period of time and then their coping mechanisms take over and they no longer need the medication.”
There are many ways to treat mental health conditions and everyone’s journey is unique. Most people benefit from a combination of treatments, such as therapy and medication. As we continue to destigmatize self-care and going to therapy, let us not exclude medication from the conversation.
MHAfred maintains an extensive list of local mental health providers that we call the HELPLINE. We keep track of the services offered in the area, insurances accepted, and new client availability. If you are looking for a local mental health provider or want to learn more about MHAfred’s programs, call Mental Health America of Fredericksburg at (540) 371-2704 or visit our website at mhafred.org.
Anne-Tillery Melson is the Suicide Prevention Education Coordinator at Mental Health America of Fredericksburg.
Learning from Each Other
Read the article that appeared in the September 2022 edition of the Front Porch magazine.
As I meet with the volunteers and participants of Mental Health America of Fredericksburg’s Senior Visitors Program, I always gain some new perspective or insight. I love learning about their experiences and hearing about how their friendship has a positive impact on their lives.
I recently talked with volunteer, Jade and her friend, Gwen. Though they have only been visiting with each other for a few months, they are already wonderful friends.
Jade explained, “I was new to the area and wanted to get involved and give back. I thought volunteering would be a good way to get invested in the community. I found the Senior Visitors Program online and felt that volunteering with older adults would give me a chance to work with an age group I might not otherwise interact with.”
“It has been great to be around someone at a different stage in life from me and who has a different perspective. I have learned so much from Gwen. On paper it may look like we have nothing in common, but we have a lot to offer each other. Gwen is great! She is funny and cheerful. We always have a good time together. We go on walks and share memories and photos.”
Gwen said of the program, “The [Senior Visitors] Program and Jade are a blessing. God put Jade and I together. She is younger than my grandchildren, but we have a great connection. We have found we have a lot in common. We laugh and talk. We both love the outdoors. With Jade I have been able to walk a little outside or sit on my deck. We both love butterflies. We also both love movie classics. Jade has a beautiful spirit. The more we get to know each other, the more I can see I am learning from her, and she learns from me.”
Gwen went on to say, “Older adults need people to interact with other than family. My family is good to me, but sometimes if I feel sad or lonely, it’s nice to have a friend to talk to. That one-on-one friendship is a blessing. Having Jade in my life is so helpful. I tell other people about the [Senior Visitors] Program all the time. The Lord knows my heart and He knew I needed this program; I needed Jade. My grandson has even noticed the difference in me. He says I am more chatty and cheerful.”
Gwen laughed, “My grandson knows if it is Tuesday, Jade is visiting, and it is a good day!”
To potential community volunteers Jade said, “I would tell anyone thinking of volunteering – without hesitation, do it! When you volunteer, you feel more involved and part of the community. You can learn so much.”
If you know an older adult who could benefit from having a weekly, friendly visit or if you would like to volunteer to visit an older adult, call the Senior Visitors Program at (540) 371-2704 or visit our website at mhafred.org. The Senior Visitors Program is a free community service program of Mental Health America of Fredericksburg.
‘Nobody talks about it’: The rise in youth suicide
Tara Lowery, a parent in Stafford county, lost her son Jake to suicide in 2016. She was recently featured in a video by VERIFY alongside other parents and mental health experts to talk about the youth suicide crisis: Watch the video by VERIFY here.
Since Jake’s death, Tara puts on an annual event every September to raise funds for MHAfred’s local suicide prevention programming in his memory. You can learn more about the event and donate to the cause here.
Going to College?
Check out this College Planning Guide for Students with Mental Health Disorders, developed by Intelligent.com.
According to Ava Jones, Higher Education Advisor at Intelligent.com:
“Pursuing higher education can be stressful for any college-bound student, but it can be more challenging for those with mental illness. According to a 2020 report by the CDC, people between 18 and 24 are more likely to experience anxiety and depression compared to other adult age groups making it more important to pick the right university.
We created an extensive guide to help students navigate the programs and policies supporting mental health. We covered topics from understanding their rights to potential accommodations, tips on accessing mental health services, and scholarships available specifically to them.”