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invisiblenyc Posts: 400
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I was just reading an article in the New York Times about a certain type of caregiver program that takes place in various prisons in the US in which certain prisoners care for other prisoners who have dementia. In the reader comments section I came across an interesting comment that mentioned bipolar disorder. I thought that I would share both the article and the above mentioned comment with the group. The article is an interesting one and the author of the comment raises some good points regarding how mental illnesses are handled or not handled in this country. Life, with Dementia The person who wrote the below comment was responding to a post in which another reader suggested the US ship their inmates to Mexico and have them cared for by Mexican authorities. Do you think before you speak? Obviously you have no idea how prisoners are treated in Mexico. My person, who is in jail is in there because he grew up in poverty and until he met me had no Idea he was bi-polar. He "just figured he was broken and unrepairable". For one crime he has spent much time in jail because he was incapable of controling or recognizing his mania episodes and the system didn't offer him any solutions. Luckily he met me. I supplied him with books, and information so he could take charge of an illness which was not self-inflicted (such as smoking diseases). He is now on meds, does a self inventory every morning, is learning to recognize his triggers and learning how it feels to be happy.Do you think he would have got this help in a Mexico Jail?At least now he has a chance to give back to society and become a productive part of OUR country. That's what this is all about; not incarcerating people the cheapest way possible, even for murders. If WE spent more money on mental health care when children are young many of them might not end up in the system to begin with. Look for solutions for the REAL problem. And yes I am doing my part as I am going to college to become a mental health worker/advocate. Also do you think murders have no one who loves them and wants to visit them? Its hard enough visiting someone who is incarcerated half a state way let alone Mexico. What a cold hearted person you are. "It is important that we remove toxic people from our lives even it is painful for us to do so. If we do not do so then the long-term negative impact of their presence in our lives is often worse than the short-term pain of cutting them out of our lives." - me
"He or she had these problems before you, while he or she was with you, and left untreated will have the problems after you are long gone." - Circles2007
""virtuous personality traits, such as loyalty, empathy and being non-judgemental towards others, can unintentionally act as as emotional "gate way drugs" to becoming co-dependent." - me
"We all have a little of something in us I think. The question is does it prevent you from functioning and leading a productive stable life...if the answer is yes...then your little something is actually a big something that needs to be addressed." - kalissalea
"It's a process, and some days will be easier than others. I can't be with someone who blames me for their behavior. It's too emotionally draining, and prevents us from having the close relationship I deeply want.' - kalissalea
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