05/06/2026
Where does the burden of CHANGE fall in the mental health system?
The reality is that it almost always falls on the person receiving (or forced to 'receive') services.
They are often expected to stop everything anyone deems as "bad" or "unhealthy" or "risky" immediately, take psychotropics and attend treatment meetings and groups... whether or not any of it is actually helpful to them.
And when they still struggle (or struggle even more), the system tells them they're 'treatment resistant' or that they need even more of what they're already getting...
Rarely does the system look at itself and say, "What WE are doing isn't working so WE need to change."
Image description:
Slide 1: Cracked glass against a black background is visible at the top and bottom of the screen. In the middle is a white background with black text: "Where does the burden of CHANGE fall in the mental health system?"
Image description, Slide 2: A white background with two different scenes. On top are two stick figures. One is looking down at the ground and frowning. The other has his hands on his hips and is smiling. That figure is saying "What you're doing isn't working. You are going to have to make some big changes. We are going to need you to stop drinking, smoking, s*x, junk food, or staying up late. We are also going to need you to start going to these three different groups and taking these five different meds, k?" The sad figure is saying "But..."
In the bottom scene, there are two stick figures. One is the provider from the prior scene who is still standing with his hands on his hips, but no longer smiling. The other is a provider with long dark hair, also not smiling. The first provider is saying "He just isn't getting any better. Should we change our approach at all?" And the other provider is saying "Nah. Let's just push more of the same."
