I work as a peer counselor, which means I actively listen to my clients, all of whom have a mental health diagnosis. The job requires me to have a mental health diagnosis as well, which means I have to be certified crazy to work at my job.
It also requires me to go through a lot of training to keep up with the latest in the mental health field. We are also changing models at work, going from a socialization model to a recovery model. We are now expected to start training these people to cope with their illnesses so that they can return (or go) to work or other productive activity.
One of the things I was recently trained on was the Wellness Recovery Action Plan or WRAP.
This is something for any person with almost any serious condition to try and help with the continued recovery from the condition.
It’s very simple, you need only a 3 ring binder, 5 tabs and some lined paper.
The link above runs down the whole system in synopsis form, enough for you to get a good idea of what it is about.
I am starting to use this system to improve the quality of my own recovery. I just so happen to carry a FranklinCovey Day Planner with me wherever I go, so this will allow me to carry my WRAP with me at all times.
My case manager has been instructed to locate this planner at all costs if I end up in the hospital, as Section 5 (Crisis Plan) is meant to cover everything that needs to be done in just such a case.
I for one would love to return to being a CIO again, so I can support my family and get them the care that they need.
Here’s hoping this turns a corner for me to get back on course to where I should be.