Mental Diagnosis: Nobody Likes a Label

No body likes a label.  Mental health professionals do not like them any better than those they diagnose.  You would never hear a professional telling how happy they are that they got to label someone with a diagnosis.  However, we ask you to look at diagnosis from a different perspective.  The act of diagnosis is in effect because the mental health model is based on the medical world.  Doctors look at symptoms, make a diagnosis and treat based on that diagnosis.  If doctors called everything the same thing – let’s say “the flu” then regardless of whether a patient came in with a gapping chest wound, the sniffles or a jaundice look, the doctor said “You have the flu” then the patient would not be treated quickly or efficiently.  Because of the diagnostic process, they are able to identify symptoms, make the diagnosis and act swiftly.  So, it is not the issue of diagnosis.  It is an issue of stigma.  The issue of stigma will be addressed in a future entry. 

Thank you for reading.

Workshops

One-time workshops, lectures and events come and go before would-be patrons even knew they were there!  Helping keep you informed about upcoming opportunities is one of the reasons SaltLakeMentalHealth.com has come into existence.  You will find these events on our calendar.

Overview of the System

Overview of the mental health and substance abuse system.  The System is enormous, complicated and difficult to understand – even for people who are IN The System.  It includes therapists in private practice, clergy, the legal system, non-profit organizations, etc. etc. etc..  It is overwhelming!  It is especially so for those who are new to it – especially if it was not entirely their choice to be there.  Someone who gets a DUI may suddenly find themselves in a drug and alcohol class at the intensive outpatient level of care and not even know what that means.  A parent may suddenly be attempting to navigate The System after their son or daughter attempted to hurt themselves.  Those experiences would be difficult enough without feeling like a tiny cog in a very big machine.  It is for these reasons, SaltLakeMentalHealth.com will feature an overview of The System that will be offered in an easily understandable way.  Not only that, it will presented in more than one way – all in an effort to help you and the professional to better understand the lay of the land and make easier your experience with The System.

Classes

There are classes being offered all over the Salt Lake valley.  Sadly, many times these classes are poorly attended simply because it is so difficult to get the word out.  SaltLakeMentalHealth.com wants to make it quick and easy for mental health professionals to get the word out.  We will maintain these lists of classes, keep in contact with facilitator and update them to ensure you are not wasting your valuable time trying to find a good fit.

Articles and Newsroom

SaltLakeMentalHealth.com wants to keep you up-to-date on all things mental health.  Therefore every day you will see  new featured articles on the main page that involves mental health or substance abuse.  You will also be able to search for articles by subject.  Finally, we will have a Newsroom, a thriving beehive humming with mental health and substance abuse related news feeds.

The Team

It takes an amazing team of people to make SaltLakeMentalHealth.com a reality.  Without the care, dedication, professionalism, attention-to-detail and teamwork demonstrated by this amazing group of people you would not be reading these words and this site would still be just a good idea that never made it off the drawing board.  We would like to introduce you to our team:

Nicole Merges.  As Administrator and Team Lead,  Nicole’s initiative, dedication, wisdom, enthusiasm and follow-through have won her the respect and admiration of the team.  Nicole ensures that we move forward and ensures that users find informations quickly and easily and that information is accurate.   

Shayna Tease.  Data Collections and Management.  Shayna has taken the information on HUNDREDS of providers, then twisted, turned it like a Rubik’s cube to produce a viable, searchable database – the cornerstone of the site.  From the beginning, Shayna has been a dedicated, driving force, without whom, this site would not have been possible.

Charles Uibel.  Call him Webmaster or Magician, Charles’ mantra has been “Yea.  We can do that.” even when asked for the impossible.  Manipulating not only the depth but width of the sheer overwhelming amount of information crammed into this site, Charles has worn a wry smile and held fast to his professionalism.  He has offered sound advice and made reality even better than the original dream.  Thank you, Charles.

Cindy Dicara.  As Special Projects Manager, Cindy has successfully tamed “The Beast” also known as the overview of the entire mental health and substance abuse system.  Cindy was chosen for this arm of the project because she has a knack for seeing both the big picture and paying attention to the details.  After she made phone calls, conducted interviews and performed research,  Cindy then simplified the complicated that you may easily understand “The System”.  We could go on and on about our Cindy, but will suffice to say she is truly AMAZING.

Cam Williams.  Without Cam’s marketing know-how, a great website like ours could still go the way of the do-do.  Cam is exceptional not only in marketing but doing so with heart and integrity.  That is why she founded Marketing for Guru’s.  Cam is so much more than marketing.  She inspired us to go higher, think bigger and cast our arms wider.  Cam is one in a million. 

Deborah Macfarlane-Clayton.  Without Deborah’s continued support, advice and motivational coaching, this site would not be possible.  Deborah has acted as consultant on key conceptual points of the site, assisted with the legal and logistical aspects of the site and helped to announce our presence by creating a presence on various networking sites.  Deborah is one of those people that helps you to dream big and make those dreams happen.  She has a knack for balancing hard-working professionalism with uplifting optimism.  That firey combination has been the rocket-fuel that has helped to launch this site.

We would also like to thank the following people who have contributed along the way:

Pat Barber – Special Projects

Emily Ramsey – Logo

Karyn Bunnell – Special Projects

Liz Felt – Motivational Coach

Pam Sheppard – Consultant