People with mental illness need much quicker availability to services upon discharge. The community supports that are available do an excellent job, but they're stretched and limited. And much more effort needs to go toward educating the public about the realities of mental illness. I've had many personal experiences that have given me an awareness of what struggling and personal pain is about. I believe I'm effective because I don't believe the people I work with are any less worthy or valuable than me.
People know if they're being treated with respect.
And we reflect this in our interactions at the hospital. The focus on patient rights and respect is paramount. In doing so, they reflect the energy, imagination and hard work that characterize the workplace in Maine. The questions for Shoptalk are compiled by copy editor Patricia McCarthy.