Category: Hamilton Center, Inc. News

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Grief from Loss During Uncertain Times

By: Emily Grimwood, MSW, LSW, Therapist, Hamilton Center, Inc.

            Spring is a time for celebration and new beginnings. The flowers bloom, the sun begins to shine again, and families prepare for graduations, vacations, and the completion of a school year full of hard work – a moment of validation for both children and parents. Unfortunately, COVID-19 has altered those experiences for many, and instead, this spring has been filled with very different experiences for families around the world.

            This season, families are facing the grief of unmet expectations. While many associate grief with death; grief is a necessary experience for any loss, including the loss of the spring for which we had hoped. Every person grieves loss differently. There is no “normal” way to grieve, and it is okay to accept that the world we live in right now is not “normal.” We must let go of our expectations and accept the many things that are out of our control.

            Our children have had to relearn how to participate in their education. The traditional standards of achievement and engagement in the educational process have change rapidly causing added stress for everyone involved. To support the mental health of children, it is important to validate the challenges they currently face in their learning and to remain mindful of the challenges they face in attempting to succeed in a setting they did not plan for, and likely did not want.

            Adolescents, specifically those with plans to graduate in the spring, are likely experiencing loss in a unique way. Events that teenagers have spent years planning for and looking forward to have been ripped away from them. Events like graduation and prom, senior day, or even that final goodbye with friends on separate journeys into adulthood are all lost- replaced with a seemingly cruel in-home detention. These losses are significant and these youths are valid in any anger or disappointment they may feel as a result. Let them feel these feelings. Let them communicate them. Do not try to fix it for them; the fact is, that is not something that is possible. These milestones cannot be replaced. Allow teenagers to grieve them.

            In these trying times, children and adolescents aren’t the only ones deserving of adjusted expectations; parents, you deserve it too. That structure and those rules you put so much effort into maintaining no longer apply; at least not absolutely. It is important to focus on surviving and caring for your mental health alongside that of your children’s. Taking care of yourself is a crucial part of taking care of them. You cannot support your children when you are burnt out from putting everything into them and nothing into yourself. It is less important in these times to rigidly restrict screen time or make sure your children are getting perfect grades – it just is. So, concentrate on happiness and know that you are a good parent in doing so.

            Finally, it is okay to not be okay. It is okay to have challenges with the current state of the world, to have fear, to feel unsure; it is also okay to experience joy even in these difficult times. Celebrate small victories and take whatever opportunities you can to help yourself and your family grasp onto light in the darkness amidst all of the uncertainty. Together we can survive this and continue moving forward in our lives.

Hamilton Center, Inc. is a regional behavioral health system in Central and West Central Indiana with corporate offices located in Terre Haute, IN. Services are provided to children, youth and adults, with specialized programs for expectant mothers, infants, and people who may be struggling with stress, life changes, or relationship issues as well as more serious problems such as depression, anxiety disorders, and serious mental illnesses.

For information on Hamilton Center Services call (800) 742-0787.

Mental Health Month even More Meaningful this year

By: Melvin L Burks, CEO, Hamilton Center, Inc.

It is impossible to not talk about COVID-19 with my annual May message in recognition of National Mental Health Awareness month. Today’s unique environment gives us a very small glimpse of the isolation that people who have mental illnesses often experience.   Even for those of us who have never experienced a serious mental illness first hand, this health crisis can give us just a taste of the feelings of hopelessness, fear, isolation, sadness and anxiety that many people face – one in five people at some time in their lifetime. 

In addition, I’m also reflecting on what life will be like once this health crisis is behind us.   Although the physical health issues may be addressed, many of us will struggle with ways to cope with its mental health consequences. 

Hamilton Center’s theme this year is STIGMA, NOPE not today.  Stigma remains a significant reason why peopleavoid seeking treatment. It will take all of us working collectively to combat this fact.  If you or someone you know is struggling to cope, please reach out for help. It is the hardest, easiest thing to do.  Reach out to family, friends, your religious leader, a teacher or anyone that can provide support. And if the struggle is impacting your life significantly, reach out to a professional.  We are in this together and STIGMA, NOPE not today.

Compassion Fatigue

Those in Helping Professions often feel burnout

By: Sara Chambers, LMHC, Program Manager, Hamilton Center Inc. Hendricks County

While 48% of Americans state that they feel a level of burnout with their jobs, they struggle to identify how it occurs and what to do once identified.   Individuals are leaving what are deemed “helping professions” (teaching, nursing, mental health, pet care, clergy) within 3 to 5 years of entering the profession, due to feelings of compassion fatigue.   

Burnout and Compassion Fatigue, while usually linked, are different. Burnout is a reaction resulting from high levels of stress. Compassion fatigue is an emotional reaction as a result of being exposed to and working with individuals suffering from trauma. Compassion fatigue is acute in nature, while burnout can be a result of work stress, poor self- care, or other institutional pressures.

I challenge you to ask yourself “What are my personal signs of burnout?” If you don’t know, ask a loved one or colleague. The most common identified are lack of support, having a personal trauma history, and isolation. While we may not notice these immediately, we start to display it as irritability, feeling anxious, conflicts with others, loss of direction, decreased motivation, personal and professional blurred boundaries, and becoming distracted or unfocused. It can evolve to feeling constantly ‘stuck,’ and result in declining physical health.

Fortunately, whether you identify as feeling burnt out or dealing with compassion fatigue, you can work your way back to mental wellness. Once you identify what your personal signs of burnout and compassion fatigue are, implementing a mental wellness routine can help promote resiliency, which will decrease the severity, intensity, and duration of future feelings of burnout.

You can build resiliency and feel less fatigued by doing daily upkeep on yourself. Symptoms of burnout include feeling irritable, dealing with sleep issues, restless, and poor focus and concentration. You may also feel overwhelmed, helpless, and indecisive. The key to combating these issues is to find ways to decompress and engage in those activities 2-3 times a week. Exercise and healthy eating habits are essential. Identifying what can help your nervous system to rest is important. For some, it is reading a book; for others it is hosting events.  It is critical to know your limits and to set them as well as assertively communicating your needs to others. Being able to assert yourself, setting healthy boundaries, knowing what your limits are, and doing routine maintenance on yourself can help build longevity of compassion satisfaction and promote mental wellness.

Lastly, for some individuals, seeking professional help can assist those with compassion fatigue or burnout to become productive, feel better and achieve improved mental wellness overall.

Hamilton Center, Inc. is a regional behavioral health system in Central and West Central Indiana with corporate offices located in Terre Haute, IN. Services are provided to children, youth and adults, with specialized programs for expectant mothers, infants, and people who may be struggling with stress, life changes, or relationship issues as well as more serious problems such as depression, anxiety disorders, and serious mental illnesses.

For information on Hamilton Center Services call (800) 742-0787.