Discussion Anybody here a mental health worker (past or current) considering ctb?

[its-about-time]

I'm just curious because I saw another member here comment that they used to be a counselor.

I used to work in mental health. Started off working in a group home for mentally ill people and ended working for a team that helps people who committed crimes while acutely mentally ill, also helping homeless people with mental illness access medication and therapy.

I had my own mental illness since before I started working in the field and ultimately stopped working because of it. But it makes me feel like such a bad person to be on this site with my work background. Can anyone else here relate?

 

[rationaltake]

I haven't worked in mental health. But I really can't think of any reason why you should feel like a bad person for being on this site with your work background.

I think working in mental health must be very difficult indeed.

 

[fox_wannabe]

We cannot relate but we still gonna welcome you.
You are not a bad person, You tried and It just didn't work.

 

[its-about-time]

But I really can't think of any reason why you should feel like a bad person for being on this site with your work background.

My exact position in my job was for someone who had been through hardship with mental illness and could be a role model to clients, sort of a "it gets better" person alongside other things. Just makes me feel like I'm letting all of my past clients down by ctb, and my past coworkers, because I'm the person that's supposed to be in recovery, not the person who takes their own life. It's been a year since I left work and my clients would probably never know, but the thought hurts.

Aside, I'm on here supporting peoples' decisions to ctb, and given I'd dedicated my life to a career of preventing exactly that, it just really hurts to know I'm here again and bleh. Idk. Maybe I shouldn't be too hard on myself. It's just the opposite of what I wanted for my life. I loved working in mental health and believed in it. I just couldn't handle it.

 

[rationaltake]

My exact position in my job was for someone who had been through hardship with mental illness and could be a role model to clients, sort of a "it gets better" person alongside other things. Just makes me feel like I'm letting all of my past clients down by ctb, and my past coworkers, because I'm the person that's supposed to be in recovery, not the person who takes their own life. It's been a year since I left work and my clients would probably never know, but the thought hurts.

Aside, I'm on here supporting peoples' decisions to ctb, and given I'd dedicated my life to a career of preventing exactly that, it just really hurts to know I'm here again and bleh. Idk. Maybe I shouldn't be too hard on myself. It's just the opposite of what I wanted for my life. I loved working in mental health and believed in it. I just couldn't handle it.

Ok. I understand a bit more. You acted in good faith when you were working.

And it's ok for your views to evolve. Maybe you now think that recovery is not for everyone or not forever and that ctb is the right decision for some people.

Mental health workers in Belgium and The Netherlands help people to access assisted suicide.

My doctor knows I would like assisted suicide and said she hopes it becomes legal soon. Though this is not the official take on things.

I think you have integrity which is why you now feel the way you do.

 

[its-about-time]

The US is so far from assisted suicide for those with mental illness. Some states have it for terminal medical conditions, but the presence of any mental illness immediately disqualifies candidates. It's wild to hear that some countries have mental health workers that HELP you end your life. It's almost unbelievable. Maybe I should just fly over there for my own ctb.

 

[bloodfallsfirst]

I worked as an admin assistant for a mental health case management agency. There were a few types of case managers - those who couldn't get a job anywhere else, those who were altruistic, those who were competent, and those who were in the field because they either went through mental stuff or knew someone who had. Nothing wrong with us wanting to ctb. We've helped people that have wanted to live, and now, we can take our choice to ctb.

 

[its-about-time]

I worked as an admin assistant for a mental health case management agency. There were a few types of case managers - those who couldn't get a job anywhere else, those who were altruistic, those who were competent, and those who were in the field because they either went through mental stuff or knew someone who had. Nothing wrong with us wanting to ctb. We've helped people that have wanted to live, and now, we can take our choice to ctb.

Thanks, that helps me feel better.