Social Work Musings, Supportive Relationships Keystone to Mental Health Improvement

Before committing to therapy or meaningful mental health improvement – “meaningful mental health improvement” most nearly related to self-confidence and value, self-control and actualization, improvement of relationships and sense of self -- past the band-aid of benefits provided by the gov’t or non-profit organizations such as food, clothes, toiletries, an apartment, etc. – there is a very important element that I find is largely lost in social services: patients and clients suffering through depression and/or financial hardships need to feel that the possibility of a better life exists.

In my opinion, the depression or anxiety experienced by many people in the system of social services seems largely related to a lack of satisfaction regarding their social status, so believing in the possibility of a better life means that they need to believe they can be accepted by people without being negatively characterized, judged, or flat-out rejected – perhaps, they can be someone deserving of love. In other words, they need to know that they haven’t ruined their life. This is a space where the clinical approach does not have a remedy readily.