Grateful and Humble

Rita Brooks; Covington, KY

During your mental health care, have you often felt hopeless about your chance of getting better?

Yes. I felt like I would always be dealing with the threat of hospitalizations. Since empowering myself with education and support I no longer worry about that.

If you overcame hopelessness that you could get better from a mental health or emotional problem, was there a turning point for you?

Education and becoming an advocate empowered me to do great things. Also meeting other consumers and receiving Peer Support was essential. Spirituality was key.

Tell us what recovery means to you. How would you define recovery from mental health or emotional problems in your own words?

Recovery to me is setting goals and reaching them. It’s feeling like you are a part of something larger than yourself. It’s being productive and giving more than you take. It’s feeling connected to others. It’s being able to work or volunteer so that you can make a difference in the world.

If you could send a brief message to someone receiving mental health care today who is feeling hopeless about getting better, what would you say?

Education about your mental illness is key as well as keeping an open mind. Connecting to your higher power in whatever way is meaningful to you. Learn to trust your instincts and listen to them. Give of yourself to others without expectations. Be grateful daily for what you have and don’t dwell on what you don’t have. Learn to be present in the “now.” Experience the wonder of nature and the world around you. Surround yourself with good people who share your common goals. Set goals and reward yourself for your accomplishments. Learn to love yourself for who you are. If you don’t like who you are then learn to change. A really good therapist can teach you skills and help empower you to be who you want to be and not who you were influenced to be by others.

Can you give examples showing you have gotten better from a mental or emotional problem, such as how you are doing well or accomplishing goals you have chosen?

I have always had a strong belief in God and a core belief that I was a good person. Though I was doing bad things, I searched for the reasons that I was doing them and set goals to change them. I went to college late in life and received a degree in Human Services. I have always cared about others and worked in the helping field. I learned tools that helped me change. To deal with all my anger I became an advocate for those without a voice. I learned about myself in therapy and learned to use my strengths and love myself. I learned to take care of me first then others without feeling selfish. I stayed grounded by surrounding myself with good people. I met these people by indulging in what I love to do and meeting people with the same values as I have. I stayed grateful and humble.