Comments on: Home Teaching the Mentally Ill-What should you do?

By: MH

MH — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 22:01:57 +0000

Well Debra, I guess it is time for an update. Despite my earlier misgivings, I have met with Ted almost every month. Most of the visits have gone quite well. I have tried to follow Nat’s advice above; I have gone to visit him and mostly been just a listener, and I have helped when some medical issues arose. He has become a good friend, and has even attended church occasionally.

I’m sorry for the fear I had earlier; Ted is my only experience with schizophrenia, and I had a lot to learn. I think anytime someone talks about using a gun to solve a problem, that should raise some red flags. Whenever such talk happens now, I do my best to change the subject, and ask him if he is taking his medication. These episodes have become less frequent over the past 2 years, and I am very happy about that.

By: Debra Langley

Debra Langley — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 08:23:26 +0000

I am bipolar. I worked 31 yrs same company. Always good record. I was assigned to care for the Irate customers because of my patience. I moved to a new ward and my Bishop talked to me like I was stupid. After a surgery going very wrong; he came and looked at me like I was insane as I complained about what they did to me at the hospital. I realized he was on egg shells with me. I realized that was fear in his eyes. A couple of friends verified it. I’ve never done anything hurtful intentionally to anyone. Judge someone that deserves it. There is more non mentally ill violent prisoners then ill. Should I be afraid of you?

By: Astral_Lds

Astral_Lds — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 23:31:17 +0000

MH it seems like you are doimng the right thing in regards to ted. As some one who has home taught a mentally ill person for the last 4 years I have found that just being there when they could need you is the most important thing. The mentally ill people that I have deallt with feel that they are being judged all the time for something that they have little control over. By not judging ted you are showing him that you can be trusted.

By: Mormon Heretic

Mormon Heretic — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 14:46:27 +0000

I’m not sure why you felt the need to rant. In the 14 months since I wrote this post, I have only missed 1 month of home teaching (due to being exceptionally busy that month.) When this man or his mother had hospitalizations, I organized meals for the family, and visited multiple times during those months. He’s even been to church a few times. You say, “I dont meen to judge”, but that is exactly what you’re doing. I really don’t know why you felt it necessary to rant.

By: Thementaly Ill

Thementaly Ill — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 07:42:45 +0000

In Jesus name this man reaches out to you & you are so afraid. Lets just welcome people to our church that are dressed well & in perfect health. This is likened to the way Lepers were treated in the Bible. WWJD? He would heal,forgive & hug this man,& wash his feet. And certainly invite him into his house. I ask you, where is your faith in God? Faith that he can heal the sick? faith that he can protect you from evil men? How many people are in your church right now that own guns & could be dangerous, & dont tell you they have issues? Im sure if someone raped you in jail you would have anger as well? This poor man needs your Courage, your Faith, your church, your love, & thats the love of Jesus. Not a plate of cookies. I dont meen to judge. But i love a person who has mental illness & scares me sometimes. But they need me. And i know its what Jesus would want me to do. Dont turn away little Mouse. Pull the thorn from the Lions paw. God be with you.

By: MH

MH — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 06:25:57 +0000

I heard the mother has attended the Catholic church in the past. I suspect visiting teachers probably don’t visit much since the family seems to be a bit dysfunctional. Then again, I haven’t asked the Relief Society presidency as to how they handle the situation either, so I can’t say for sure. But the family is sufficiently strange that I’d be surprised to hear if anyone persistently visited them.

By: Glenn Smith

Glenn Smith — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:07:04 +0000

And what about the mother’s visiting teachers????

By: MH

MH — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 04:23:08 +0000

Thanks for weighing in everyone. I think I’ll just leave a plate of cookies at the door, signed “Your Home Teachers.”

By: Jen

Jen — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 04:15:07 +0000

MH-

I think it is important that you stay away from the situation unless you know that the man is stable on meds. There are boundaries that you must have when dealing with mentally ill people who aren’t stable, especially when you have a family. He needs some serious help and you can’t give that to him. I don’t think it is worth the risk, especially with the way he was talking to you. Schizophrenic people can be very paranoid and that can lead to erratic behavior. I think you should listen to your instincts and stay away from the situation unless he gets the medical help he needs. It is not your responsibility to take all that on that’s for sure.

By: Nat

Nat — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 23:51:11 +0000

I’d probably suggest you have as many people from your church be aware what you are doing; apply their suggestions to your own wisdom, as you see fit. In all of this, I really admire that you have found (as you do in your daily work) someone whom you have given help to, simply by listening to him