[humanser] SPMI

[Mary Chappell]

Susan,
There is great reward in being on this list and receiving feedback from
consummate professionals like yourself. I, in my clinical training and work
experiences, have found the same to be true. Patients will often be easily
soothed with the tone of my voice. I loved your patient's response. It gave
me a good chuckle. /Thank you for lifting my spirits through this process.
Spiritedly,
Mary


-----Original Message-----
From: humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Susan Tabor
Sent: Sunday, November 15, 2009 10:31 PM
To: 'Human Services Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [humanser] SPMI

Hi, Mary:

SPMI:  Severe and persistent mental illness.

Reading your post took me back to the days when I applied for my first job.
I was being interviewed for an outpatient position at a community mental
health center. One of the staff, (who was pretty obviously to me trying to
one-up me) asked me how my blindness interfaced with the delusionary systems
of my clients from my internships.

I nearly laughed but thought better of it and bit my tongue instead. I told
her that this had not been an issue, which it hadn't.

I remember later making a decision to change my physical appearance. I had
been wearing dark glasses but decided to stop hiding behind them. My
supervisor suggested that I give an explanation of this change to one of my
clients, a man with severe and persistent mental illness who was very
bright, very psychotic and very medicated. So when I gave the explanation to
him as recommended, he chuckled and said:  "Well, you seem a lot more
worried about it than I am!"

I loved it! And he and I had a great laugh together! Good luck, Mary! Being
confident and using safe practices are important. So is being quiet, calm
and direct in an emergency. I've been amazed at how quickly a situation
de-escalates when I stand up and quietly ask the agitated person to sit
down, or when I simply calmly state that I hear their pain and then state a
need if I have any; e.g.:  "I'm still here, ......, and I hear your pain. So
that we can talk more comfortably, I want you to (sit down, step back, take
deep breaths) so I can best hear and understand you.) Good luck!
Best Regards,
Susan Tabor, LSCSW, MPS
  

-----Original Message-----
From: humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Mary Chappell
Sent: Sunday, November 15, 2009 9:27 AM
To: blind-counselors at topica.com; 'Human Services Mailing List'
Subject: [humanser] SPMI

	Hello All,
I am currently working on my applications to internship. Many of my chosen
sites are medical hospitals, psychiatric hospitals or VA hospitals. Though
many have discouraged the application due to my blindness--may be to
fast-paced, to dangerous, or whatever else their projected fears and
misperceptions may impose on my pursuits. 
As I apply I have come across the acronym SPMI. Though I am currently
employed at a training hospital--and it is not to fast-paced, dangerous, or
any of those cautionary predictions; however, I am not familiar with this
acronym. Does anyone have any insights on the meaning?
Thanks
Mary


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