Investing in Integration

Medical treatment is what many people focus their sights on when they encounter a behavioral health condition. The diagnosis itself can separate them from their community out of fear and stigma.  The recovery movement in the United States is focused on mentoring people back into their communities with natural supports.  A more integrated person may rely less on their medical system for support.

Traditionally behavioral health service providers have not been allowed to invest in socialization, like boardgames.  And while I agree board games are trivial in the grand scheme of integration, I believe we may have missed huge areas of social capital in terms of building integration.  Surveys and research indicate that stigma and discrimination is thick in our communities, and I think the recovery movement should do something about it. 

Why can't we have huge integration efforts where people have face-to-face encounters with people that have behavior health conditions.  There could be integrated public speaking forums, institutes within the school system, Sporting events dedicated to the art of integration, and more.  You see some of this work in the developmental disability community, particularly in Australia.  I think we don't fund social integration on the same scale in behavioral health because were striving for autonomy.  Autonomy is a great goal, but so are integrated relationships in communities that appreciate the courage of people with behavioral health conditions.