What is your definition of transformation?

[Jean Wood]

So many times we hear certain 'buzz' words like transformation, healthcare reform, recovery, or consumer driven services......As a transformation agent I certainly hear my share of the latest descriptors of transformation to our healthcare system. In particular the mental health and substance absuse services sector.

For me the TRUE transformation process takes place within each of us - a deep change - a genuine belief that people can and do recovery from the debilitating effects of mental health diagnosis. It is possible with proactive management techniques the individual can go on to lead healthy invested lives, with careers family and other interestes that provide a foundation for a truly satisfying life.

One of the first steps in this process is a true inventory of personal beliefs. Healing of issues that are unresolved such as childhood trauma, non-normative events throughout our lives (ex. suicide, traumatic losses) and so forth.

Also transformation includes the ability to dream and dream BIG! Setting goals are the first step in the wonderful journey of living life to the fullest. Without dreams we cannot set goals and without goals we are not living to our fullest potential. Some dreams may sound extravagent to others and until we have a strong foothold on the path to our dreams we may be selective in who we share this with. Naysayers can deter us if we let them and without being prepared their ability to derail our train full of objectives is real.

I set a goal at 35 to obtain my doctorate by the age of 50 then slowly one assignment at a time I graduated at each level - Assoc., Bachelors, Masters and presently am enrolled in a doctoral psychology program. I do this for my own satisfaction as a person in recovery from Major Depression and PTSD. I truly believe that my diagnosis is manageable with my partnership between my psychiatrist, primary care physician and myself that there is nothing that would get in my way to achieving my goals.

One reason I selected Psychology over Psychiatry is the fact that I am partnering with a psychiatrist and that not only feels right it is a healthy partnership. I genuinely believe that when I am serving others the fact that I too manage my own diagnosis speaks volumes of the 'walking the walk' of lived experience. I am not nor will ever be the 'guru' of recovery as it is an individualized journey - yet I do genuinely celebrate each person as they choose to pursue their life to the fullest capacity.

Each person who has crossed my path in all of the different positions in mental health has contributed to a kaleidoscope of growth, passion and learning. I appreciate each person for their contributions to my experience.

Thank you to all and I would genuinely love to know what you think of transformation?

[Lyn Legere]

Wonderful post, Jean. I enjoyed reading your story, and do agree that, ultimately, personal transormation must come from within.

For me, "Transformation" refers to the idea that the mental health system is so broken that you can't fix it within the current structure. The only way to make it work is to break it down and start over. At this point, "reform" and "systems change" can't fix it - only a complete metamophosis into a new and different entity.

And that, in many ways, parallels personal transformation. I've heard many stories that match my own - so many points along the way where I hit the wall and knew that I had to create something new, not just tweak what was there. i look at my journey and it's not a series of small changes, but instead, momentous changes within, even if the momentousness and earth-shaking of the moment wasn't apparent to the outside.

I don't know if this is your experience, but that's been mine.

I look forward to the rest of the conversation. LYN