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Reflections on Self-Help

Having recently moved house, I can attest that it ranks high among life's most testing experiences. Sorting through the clutter proved oddly cathartic; I found myself faced with a heap of “stuff”. Amongst the piles, one particular thing caught my eye: my extensive array of self-help books, numbering well over 100. Reflecting on it now, it seems almost comical how much time and effort I invested in the belief that one of those books held the elusive solution to all my problems.

These books impart valuable knowledge meant to be applied in daily life. However, entertaining the notion that merely reading their words would magically improve my life was a fallacy. It is similar to enrolling in a gym and expecting instant fitness without putting in the effort to exercise. If success could be obtained solely through passive consumption, everyone would gladly pay for results without exerting themselves.

Upon reflection, I realised how deeply I had bought into the notion that self-help books held the key to my happiness and fulfilment. I dedicated countless hours scouring through them, firmly convinced that the solutions to all my life's problems were nestled within those pages. Little did I know then that the true answer for me lay not in consuming more literature but in taking decisive action.

Recovery

Long Term Recovery

The younger me had to learn that taking a longer view in treating my mental health issues was crucial to a sustainable outcome. I didn't realise until much later that this was part of the problem, so I kept getting stuck in the same old cycle.

A great misconception about treatment for most mental health disorders, especially in adolescents, is it's a quick fix. I send my child off to therapy or a treatment centre and am surprised they are not 'cured' in week four. Mental health illness is no different to most other chronic and progressive diseases; they take time to treat and manage.

After completing primary care treatment for most mental health issues, the most crucial period is the first three months after discharge; this is often overlooked as we are so desperate for a quick fix for a very complex problem. Immediately returning home or back to school can often result in the onset of triggers that led to the primary intervention in the first place.

At Lions Campus, we help support the process from treatment initiation to maintaining a sustainable recovery regime and finally reintegration into home and school. We enable our residents to regain some of their independence. With the support of peers and the residence team, this combination of support and accountability from people that are not family is designed to help people practise tools and improve resilience until it becomes a way of life. There are so many unpredictable triggers that can happen in early recovery. With very little time to ruminate on negative thought patterns and free from external pressures of previous environments our residents can focus on themselves.

We take a long view; we help bridge the gap from treatment to recovery. We have recently launched a new initiative in partnership with Yes We Can clinics in the Netherlands called Yes You Do. We offer ten weeks of intensive residential treatment at Yes We Can international, followed by a stay of three months at Lions Campus London.

The goal is to preserve the tools gained in primary care and improve the progress made. We work very closely with external consultants and specialists, which enable our young residents to have a chance at maintaining recovery and practice making healthy choices.

Supporting My Loved One

One of the significant challenges my own family faced in talking to me and being there during my mental health issues was that somehow this was all their fault. It is crucial to understand that although there might be precipitating events, there is no singular cause for the development of these disorders. Teens are at high risk of developing mental health issues due to societal and peer pressure. Adolescence is when young people are struggling to fit in socially and emotionally. They are especially vulnerable to bullying, social ostracization, family dysfunction, problems in school, and trauma, any of which may trigger a mental health issue.

Being a family member of someone in crisis can have its challenges; however, It's important to know that you are not alone and that even the best and most supportive parents, spouses, siblings, and friends are not expected to know what to do every situation. The first step to helping a loved one who you believe is suffering from a mental health disorder is to inform yourself a bit more about the disorder. Mental health issues such as self-harm, eating disorders and substance misuse are severe and potentially devastating illnesses that negatively impact health and emotions and result in the inability to function in daily life.

Once you have determined that there is an issue, helping your family member identify, speak out about, and seek treatment involves patience, education, and, more often than not, the support of a team of professionals qualified to treat mental health disorders.

At The Lions Campus, we don't believe in quick fixes. We provide the space for our young residents to practise strategies learned during primary treatment. They use these tools to build healthy new routines and effective coping strategies and reduce their risk of relapse.

Minority Mental Health Awareness Month 2022

Minority Mental Health Awareness month raises awareness of the unique struggles that minority communities face regarding mental health. Ethnic minorities are significantly more likely to develop mental health conditions. A major barrier to treatment is the need for understanding mental health support. This year Matthias Laroche brings us together to gain knowledge on historical context, systems of support and actionable ways to move toward a mentally healthy future.

Reflections on Self-Help

Blog

Reflections on Self-Help

The Hidden Reality Of Self-Harm

3 Tips To Support Teen Mental Health

Understanding Teenage Mental Health

3 Tips To Support A Victim With An Eating Disorder

Breaking the Stigma of Eating Disorders

Long Term Recovery

Supporting My Loved One

Minority Mental Health Awareness Month 2022

Self Esteem