To determine what is helpful, we are guided by qualitative research gathered from people willing to share their stories. Many of them answered similarly. They looked down at their feet, shuffled around and said something about a person who told them that they have a chance to get better. Having someone believe in them translated into hope. Without hope, death can establish a foothold.
Hope fights fear and nurtures courage.
It inspires vision and the work required to realize the unattainable. Pat Deegan, a psychologist and psychiatric survivor, was diagnosed with schizophrenia at 17 and hospitalized nine times. She is currently director of education at the National Empowerment Center in Lawrence, Massachusetts. When Dr. Deegan talks about recovery, she often tells a story about how her traditional Irish grandmother reached out to her. When she was discharged from the hospital, Pat spent days sitting in a chair doing nothing but smoking cigarettes and drinking Cokes.