( – promoted by odum)

(cross-posted from Beyond Vermont State Hospital blog, here)

While reflecting upon and then pondering where the state currently is with what is proving to be a fork in the road when it comes the enormous and severe damage caused by tropical storm Irene across Vermont, including at the state office complex as well as the Vermont State Hospital (VSH) facility in Waterbury (here) and, what lies ahead as well as how this crisis provides a unique opportunity for finally accomplishing what previously had been talked about for over twenty years as concerns VSH, the last three lines of the final stanza of Robert Frost‘s poem The Road Not Taken comes to mind:

[…]

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

In this particular case, as pertains to VSH and what would be the best course to take in terms of the future of the mental health system across the state, doing so would take plenty of courage, prudent risk taking, wisely changing one’s priorities, exercising the will and leadership to make it happen, widening one’s circle of those to be included in the process from the get go outside the usual inner circle as well as providing for complete and thorough transparency at all levels.

Up to now, when others who should be equals at the table have been part of the discussion — if one can even call it that, for the most part what they have to say is not fully considered on par as is the case with certain others, particularly when it does not fit with the fixed or rather set agenda as well as selected priorities and goals of those seemingly bent on leading from the top down as best serves their own interests.

It is high time for inclusion rather than exclusion and openness rather than continuing to do things behind closed doors or otherwise during meetings or other conversations with mostly insiders as well as those with direct and financial interests.

This is public policy after all and a lot is at stake, including what will determine the future of the mental health system in Vermont for the next 50 years or more as well as millions upon millions of taxpayer dollars too boot.

In my opinion, I believe the citizens of our state are up to the task if they are only given the chance to consider being part of the solution beyond their being expected to pay for it over the years. In addition, those who have also been invested in these matters for years upon years*(1) certainly have been doing all they can to be part of the process of improving the mental health system as well.

*(1: e.g., various stakeholders including peers [read: people with lived experience of being on the receiving end of the mental health system], family members, advocates, etc.)

It is only hoped that the state’s political leaders, rank and file members of the state legislature and those working in the mental health field, among others, will be up to doing what is required as well. Only time will tell however.

If you have not yet signed the petition urging Governor Peter Shumlin to support the building of a more robust community-based mental health services system, including a major increase in peer run alternative services and supports as well as more affordable housing opportunities, in order to foster a holistic and healing, cross-disabilities, independent living, recovery-based and trauma-informed model, please consider doing so, here.