Re: Seeking advice re mentally ill community member | <– Date –> <– Thread –> |
From: Fred H Olson (fholsoncohousing.org) | |
Date: Fri, 30 Mar 2007 19:50:59 -0700 (PDT) |
Ann Zabaldo <zabaldo [at] earthlink.net> is the author of the message below. It was posted by Fred the Cohousing-L list manager <fholson [at] cohousing.org> -------------------- FORWARDED MESSAGE FOLLOWS -------------------- Dear Diana -- O dear. Life does hand us challenges. And the challenges of living in community are many and definitely varied. I agree w/ Sharon that you must take some action now. And w/ Elana that getting other health professionals involved is key both to Earthhaven's health and the health of the woman herself. This is not an issue you can handle alone -- no matter how many of you live at Earthhaven. With the exception of the health care professional who is a member you do not have the skill or ability to deal with this situation. This doesn't mean you don't love her or want to help her. But what does love or help look like at this stage? One thing I think may be fruitful is to find out how to support the mother in supporting her daughter. What does she need? And can you provide it? Also, are there other relatives or friends who can help? Of course, absolutely get help from mental health professionals. Have them come talk to your community. Work w/ them to figure out how to help this woman and to help your community at the same time. The biggest challenge you may have with the above is hearing information you don't want to hear. And suggestions for actions you won't want to take. BUT if you can at least HEAR the suggestions maybe you can make some headway. My last suggestion is that when talking about this issue w/ your community identify the NEEDS of both groups of people -- those that want her to be able to be in the community and those who do not. If you have someone skilled in Nonviolent Communication (NVC) he/she should be able to lead this discussion. In the past few months, we've had an NVC practice group here at TVC and I've learned that getting to the needs of people opens up conversation that lead to solutions rather than staying w/ feelings about something because feelings are internal but needs can be addressed. I'll be keeping you in my heart and prayers as you engaged this difficult issue, Diana. Please let me know what happens. All my best, Ann Zabaldo Takoma Village Cohousing Washington, DC On Mar 29, 2007, at 11:14 AM, Communities Magazine wrote: > Hello, > > I'm seeking help from people who may have dealt with having a > mentally ill person living in their community. In our case, the > person is a neighbor who comes over every day and often sleeps here > on someone's porch, or in the woods. It's a very painful, sad > situation. > >
- Re: Seeking advice re mentally ill community member, (continued)
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Re: Seeking advice re mentally ill community member Ellen Keyne Seebacher, March 31 2007
- Re: Seeking advice re mentally ill community member Roger Burson, April 2 2007
- Re: Seeking advice re mentally ill community member Cher Stuewe-Portnoff, March 31 2007
- Re: Seeking advice re mentally ill community member Fred H Olson, March 30 2007
- Re: Seeking advice re mentally ill community member Fred H Olson, March 30 2007
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Re: Seeking advice re mentally ill community member Ellen Keyne Seebacher, March 31 2007
- Re: Seeking advice re mentally ill community member Fred H Olson, March 30 2007
- Re: Seeking advice re mentally ill community member Fred H Olson, March 30 2007
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Re: Seeking advice re mentally ill community member Eris Weaver, March 31 2007
- Re: Seeking advice re mentally ill community member Racheli Gai, March 31 2007
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