May 2002

The poem below was developed by Bernadette E. Phelan, Ph.D.  Words were lifted verbatim from the focus group discussion on consumer recovery Held on February 9, 2001 at the Arizona Department of Health Services, Division of Behavioral Health Services Phoenix, Arizona.

It's Not About Pathology, It's Just About Life

When we talk about recovery
I see a distinction
Between recovery of my mental health
As opposed to recovery from my mental illness.
The fact that I have a diagnosis of mental illness
Does not exclude the possibility that I, too,
Can achieve a pretty high level of mental health.

Regaining control over my life, having a say
Finding a balance and stability
Access to medications
Access to try different drugs
Access to a psychologist
All these help me find direction in life.

A sense of structure helps me live with a purpose
Attainable goals that help me to focus
Non-judgmental peer support
Spirituality
Organized physical group activities
My cat
Are things that give me better control of my life.

What do I need to keep that control in my life?
I need family support
Case management
Counseling
Vocational Rehabilitation
Connections
Transportation
And being invited to the table and being asked the question.

I need a system that does not assume
That if you're a consumer, you have a problem.
A system that does not jeopardize my recovery
By having layers to go through too many.
A system that is proactive (not reactive)
One that does not say you can't but you can
For these tendencies no doubt will support me.

The most beneficial relationships for me
May have sprouted out of the fact that I have
A psychiatric disorder and needed to make connections.
It's easier to reach out
To people who have been there
Than to depend on a system
That is not always there.

The support system that we build for ourselves
Brings awareness of the resources that are out there
This is a system that understands my difficulty
And not one that thinks of medication adjustment.

It's a shame if a system doesn't teach us
To learn what is a symptom from a normal life
Misguided dependence is to my detriment
For it takes away my sense of independence.

You know I've now moved on (but the system has not)
With self determination, self esteem and self confidence
I've used the opportunity to say that I, too, have value
For the honest responsibility of recovery is on me
Nobody else can do that for me.

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