The Maze

In a society where there is still such stigma attached to mental illness, it is a tremendous challenge just to be able to seek care. Weaving through the process of care for mental illness can often seem like a labyrinth sometimes frought with dead ends and with no clear end point. Even though mental illness is conceptually no different from a disease like cardiovascular disease, one must sadly first “admit” they are mentally ill. The fact that it seemingly requires an admission highlights the initial obstacles to care. Accepting help is not a “shining light” turning point in the process however, for a second obstacle to care lurks just around the corner.

 

Symptoms of mental illness can include disorganization and limited focus ability. Yet, we ask those that suffer to manage a complex system of healthcare that can require multiple appointments lumped together in just one week. Scheduling, coordinating and attending those appointments, along with managing multiple medications and tracking progress are all tasks that can be nearly impossible for a sufferer to successfully master. Missing one cog in that machine can cause a delay in the overall process, sometimes resulting in delayed care for weeks.

 

Chad’s story illustrates how those delays can actually be the difference between life and death. Even with support at home, there are limits to the effectiveness a loved one might have in the role of a care coordinator, especially for an adult patient. Clear care pathways, often a standard of care for most diseases,  are not currently available for those with mental illness.  Tangible progress in care is the ultimate goal that provides hope to those that suffer. Hope is a critical motivating factor in a patient's commitment and continuation of care.

 

Improving Access and Outcomes

Another key aspect of our goals within Chad’s Legacy is to push for the development of closer care coordination and follow up with those in the mental health treatment system. It is unrealistic to assume a mental health patient will effectively manage their own care, once care has been established. For that reason, a care coordinator is needed in a social worker role to proactively track appointment attendance, the patient’s constancy in taking medication dosage and collecting feedback on progress and side effects. Today, this information is often gathered only bi-weekly during outpatient care, if the person is able to make their appointments. We support the role expansion and workforce development of the Certified Peer Counselor. A trained peer with lived experience in navigating the care system and recovery process is often the most effective first line of contact in the care path.