Concept of what a care facility for individuals with traumatic brain injury might look like.

A Mental Health Program for TBI Clients 18 years and older

• Centralized
• Interconnected
• Resourced by private and state funds

Multiple facilities on property with appropriate security and management for each level of care

• Board and Care Building
• Room and Board Building
• Independent apartment living
• Main Hall or Club House for recreation, classes, and socialization for clients
• Vocational Skill Learning Building for various restaurant, sales, IT and other vocational skills for clients

Proper Diagnosis must happen before admittance.  To resource and work with the local mental health hospital makes sense, however having a diagnostic program on the campus would not be out of the realm of possibility.  As it is now, a person with mental challenges must somehow ask and apply for a mental diagnostic work up.  If they prove they are a danger to themselves or others, they are kept for a short period of time for observation and diagnosis.  They are then released, if they are over 18 and not behaving in the previous manner with no parental consultation.  There is no continuation or correlation to their actual diagnosis unless a partner/family member assists them in finding the proper care.  If someone now is diagnosed with a mental challenge that inhibits work…with detailed procedures respected, they can receive SSI which is a monthly cash allowance to survive.  To keenly use that stipend monthly is usually out of the realm of possibility for a mentally challenged person.  It is up to the team of caring individuals to help make the financial support work for that mentally challenged individual.  I can not imagine where Kristin, our daughter, would be today had we not carefully guided and managed her care.  The care for a person needing mental guidance today takes one all over the county with choices being very limited and sometimes, unsafe.

A Mentally Challenged Person has many needs, wants, strengths and weaknesses:

• Routine
• Security
• Housing
• Food
• Steps to independence, if possible
• Emotional, physical and spiritual healing

Wants:

• Friends
• Understanding
• Personal finances
• Purpose
• Independence

Strengths:

• Honest
• Helpful

Weaknesses:

• Negative Thoughts
• Inappropriate responses
• Forgetful
• Make poor choices

NOTE: I believe with the proper care, the strengths list could be lengthened considerably.

I Corinthians 13:13 is the fuel for this engine.  I am compelled by love to pursue this dream that is coming from God.  This is not to say that I have not been on a circuitous route for years experiencing the pitfalls and mid air leaps that the present mental health system offers.  I have been frustrated, angry and most disturbed…yet…I come out with only a grateful heart and the love that continues to call me forward.  I can only hope that my journey and now my solution to the challenge could be of help to others who have little or no assistance.

Time Magazine Feb 13, 06 has an article by John Cloud.  It refers to a controversy in the mental health field.  His form of psychotherapy is one that can be congruent with Christian thought and reality.  It is something that I have curiously wanted to embrace for some time. That is people can be helped to improve, mentally by guiding them to reality and acceptance of where they are.  And then… graciously leading them forward to improvement.   This, of course is added to the proper use of needed medication that is consistently administered.

I would ask for your ideas in this brainstorming session to assist me and those who are actively looking for workable solutions to the mentally challenged arena.

I am basically envisioning a campus, Mayo Clinic style of mental health residential facility.

We all have two choices:  We can make a living or we can design a life.

-Jim Rohn  America’s Foremost Business Philosopher