4 minute read
Oley Voices
Maisy Cyr, MSW | Oley Foundation Manager of Education & Innovation
In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, we wanted to acknowledge that the Oley Foundation understands how challenging it can be to navigate the complex relationship between mental and physical health. Grieving the way things used to be, adapting to a new lifestyle, fighting with insurance companies, finding a balance between managing care and maintaining a social life, building a support system, trying to establish some sense of normalcy amidst the uncertainty. These experiences can feel so isolating, but many people in this community have faced similar struggles. You are not alone.
While we have known that mental health plays a significant role in the lives of those on nutrition support, recently our members have shone a light on the gravity of the situation. We hope to always be a source of support and community for those experiencing difficult feelings. We also hope to help dissolve some of the larger systemic barriers preventing our members from accessing the care they need and bridge the gap between physical and mental health as it relates to the nutrition support community.
My own peers on nutrition support have brought up time and again that many mental health professionals do not understand the nuanced intricacies of working with clients with complex medical challenges, chronic illnesses, or rare diseases. Often well-meaning interventions miss the mark. Organizationally, we hope to eventually offer training opportunities for those in the mental health field to better prepare them for working with clients with complex medical challenges.
However, this month our goal is to remind our members that there are mental health professionals—therapists, social workers, counselors, etc.—out there who do understand the unique experiences we are facing. Some have experienced it themselves. They understand things like grief and trauma and the complicated feelings of fear and isolation that come with hospitalizations, diagnoses, and procedures. They are well trained in modalities that work for these specific circumstances. They exist and want to help. Do not get discouraged.
If you are looking for someone to talk to:
• Check with your insurance company. See who is in your network and takes that insurance.
• Talk to your primary care provider. They may have someone in-office or refer you to someone.
• Decide if you prefer in-person or telehealth, as many providers are offering both.
• Reading about a provider prior to meeting with them can be beneficial. Knowing about their education and experience can help you gain an understanding of how they practice.
• Go into your first session with an open mind. Often the first couple of sessions include a lot of background information. So don’t be discouraged if it doesn’t feel like much is accomplished.
• Know that if they don’t feel like the right fit, you can find another. You have the power to break up with a therapist.
• You should feel safe to be open and honest with them, even about tough stuff.
• It might be uncomfortable at times. You might find yourself experiencing emotions you weren’t expecting. The provider may encourage you to be vulnerable or think about things in a different way, but they will support you and give you tools to work through it.
Just like there is nothing wrong with addressing your physical health, there is nothing wrong with addressing your mental health, even just to process whatever you are experiencing. More than anything, please know you are not alone. There is a whole community of people who understand what you are going through and we are here for you.
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988.
