Hierarchy of Needs
In 1943 psychology professor Abraham Maslow debuted his newly minted Hierarchy of Needs to the behavioral health community. His theory posited that human growth and development is predicated on certain orderly stages that must occur in a specific sequence. For example, an individual must have food, shelter and safety in order to pursue higher goals such as education and self-actualization.
Dear Parents, Friends and Loved Ones,
Please know that if you have a family member or loved one who is struggling with mental health or addiction problems, chances are they will not only need your love and support to find lasting recovery but they will also need some time and space to effectively do so. This might mean taking some time off work, or taking one less class in school. It may even mean leaving home for a brief period of time in order to get the support they may need.
We get calls every day from people who want (and need) help but they can’t or won’t find the time to fit proper treatment in to their lives. We know most have to work, some have kids who need to be cared for and others have a false notion that addiction and mental health can be treated on their own terms. We know as well as anyone that the world does not stop spinning when someone is sick. We also know that one must be alive and healthy in order to function and appreciate the joys and wonder of this life. If you are in a relationship with a loved one or a friend and they express interest in getting help for their illness, know that they will likely need your support to get “there”. They will need to be told it is ok to put their health first, that it is ok to take some time for their well being and that their lives will only become more abundant once they are able to heal.
These are diseases of the brain. They must be treated as diseases by trained medical professionals in the right environment at the proper level of care. Anything less is plain and simply not fair to the struggling individual, their family and their loved ones.
It breaks our heart to see someone who wants to get help but whose parents or loved ones are not supportive of them taking the necessary time to do so. And while it breaks our heart when we see this, know it breaks theirs also.
Warmly, SCH