Building bridges of hope: a self-determination & human rights oriented curriculum for parents of transition age youth who experience extreme states, hear voices and/or experience extreme emotional distress

Graduation Date

2016

Document Type

Project

Program

Other

Program

Project (M.S.W.)--Humboldt State University, Social Work, 2016

Committee Chair Name

Jennifer Maguire

Committee Chair Affiliation

HSU Faculty or Staff

Keywords

Support group, Recovery, Hearing voices, Caregivers, Non-stigmatizing, Transition age youth, Psychoeducation, Parents, Hope, Mental wellness, Building bridges, Community mental health, Self-determination, Human rights, Person first language, Empowerment, Humboldt State University -- Project -- Social Work

Abstract

Parents of transition age youth (TAY) who hear voices and/or experience extreme states can be faced with the socially accepted idea that their child is "disabled for life." Many of these parents believe this idea, and lose hope of recovery for their child who may struggle with what are commonly referred to as mental disorders. When the belief in recovery and wellness is minimized, parents and their loved ones begin to live in what Pat Deegan calls "a winter of despair" (Deegan, 1992). Parents gather bi-weekly to attend a support group I facilitate. As a Mental Health Rehabilitation Specialist facilitating this group for almost one year, it became apparent to me that living in a 'winter of despair' and having a pessimistic view of prognosis can be a common experience for many families and youth who have been labeled as "mentally ill." Many parents I encountered appeared to live with the perception that there was little tangible hope for recovery and wellness from severe mental health issues. The purpose of this project is to interview experts in the mental health field and conduct an extensive review of the literature and other media in order to create a curriculum grounded in beliefs which support the human ability to recover and regenerate. The curriculum is based on information gathered from individuals who have and/or continue to experience extreme states, emotional distress and hearing voices. The guiding principles of the curriculum are supported by literature and resources that are recovery based with the goal of creating hope for the future, which Pat Deegan (1992) calls a "conspiracy of hope." The curriculum is developed to help parents understand how to better support their children or loved ones who experience extreme states and/or hear voices, and that many people labeled as "mentally ill" are able to lead happy and fulfilling lives post-diagnosis. The curriculum is aimed at creating a healing environment to help parents become supportive advocates working together with their loved one toward a better future.

https://scholarworks.calstate.edu/concern/theses/6t053j524

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