RECOVERY: LIVING INSIDE CHANGE

An article I'm thinking of submitting. Would love feedback.

RECOVERY:

LIVING INSIDE CHANGE

 

 

Recovery:

noun

Inflected Form(s): plural re·cov·er·ies

Date: 15th century

1: the act, process, or an instance of recovering ; especially : an economic upturn (as after a depression) 2: the process of combating a disorder (as alcoholism) or a real or perceived problem

 

Recover:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

re·cov·ered; re·cov·er·ing -ˈkə-və-riŋ, -ˈkəv-riŋ

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French recoverer, from Latin recuperare, from re- + *caperare, from Latin capere to take

Date: 14th century

 to get back : 2 a: to bring back to normal position or condition: 3 a: to make up for: b: to gain by legal process 4 archaic: 5: to find or identify again: 6 a: to obtain from an ore, a waste product, or a by-product b: to save from loss and restore to usefulness : to regain a normal position or condition 2: to obtain a final legal judgment in one's favor

— re·cov·er·abil·i·ty -ˌkə-və-rə-ˈbi-lə-tē, -ˌkəv-rə- noun

 

 

Teaching and modeling recovery, by definition, falls under the category of human services.  Recovery is much more than treating one’s state of mental health, which deals only with the health of one’s mind.  Recovery, in its truest and most constructive form, and for all intents and purposes here, is to find and identify with one’s self first; and others second.  Keep in mind that neither is without their level of priority.

 

Change, regardless in what form it presents itself, is the most common human experience that requires multiple degrees of recovery.  When changes take place, an involuntary shift takes place that affects everyone and everything around it.  It is similar to the ripples that happen when a rock is thrown into a smooth and perceptible unmoving body of water.  Everything under the surface as well as on top of the water’s surface moves. 

 

We that work in human services (behavioral health) must accommodate change in every aspect of our professional and personal lives.  Professionally, recent changes here in Arizona, have forced us to adjust to the changes in management and policy at the county and state levels.  The Regional Behavioral Health Authority (RBHA) has changed from Value Options to Magellan Health Services.  The State of Arizona has forced changes at the RBHA level giving way to change at the next level which is the Provider Network Organizations (PNO).  Each PNO has made procedural changes to policy, and each new policy has forced change within each individual provider of human health services (behavioral health).  The changes that trickle down from the provider affect change within each provider organization at both the management and procedural level.  Change, when it occurs, forces involuntary adjustment at every degree of the initial change. 

 

Every employee at each level is then also forced to adjust to each change, which then compels change at the personal level.  Change is inevitable.  The reaction of each employee to the changes then makes an impact on the individuals each employee provides service to.  Whether that service is to other employees by way of management and co-workers, or by way of direct care to those that receive services from their facility, how each employee absorbs the changes taking place affects everything they do. 

 

Language and behavior are clear indicators of how an individual is adjusting to change.  On the human level, change, if not understood can materialize as fear, because we as people fear that which we don’t understand.  Fearful behaviors can present themselves as intimidation, low self-esteem, and even anger and hatred.  It can cause an individual to become blustery and forceful when otherwise reasonable and accepting.  The choices that are made from the point of fear are often not conscious choices.  Frequently a certain result is desired, and because there is an underlying feeling of being out of control, an attempt is made to regain that control while attempting to achieve the same result.  Most often, however, the opposite occurs, and the end result creates within itself another barrage of reactionary change.

 

This behavior is prevalent among many individuals in managerial positions, although not exclusively.  In the private sector of employment, this type of management may be accepted and even adhered to.  In the field of human services, however, when this behavior presents itself, the result can lead to disaster.  Many employees who work in the field of human services have a higher level of vulnerability.  Working in Human Services requires a level emotional intelligence and sensitivity, and anytime emotions are brought into play, vulnerabilities become more pronounced.  Different from employment in the private sector, where the main focus is on productivity, in the field of human services, the focus is on quality of life, and its recovery.

 

Wherever vulnerabilities present themselves, it is the purpose of the employer and employee supervisors to focus on serving their subordinates, so that the subordinates can do their job.  Goals must be met, objectives must be reached, just like any other employer.  The difference being that those goals must be reached while maintaining a level of value to every individual.  When change occurs, mistakes will be made.  Policies will be changed, and each person will react to the changes.  Close attention must be paid to the level of emotion that is exerted by each employee to assess where assistance is needed.  Closer attention must be given to those that the employees serve.  Those that receive services from human service agencies are perhaps even more sensitive to the changes being made. 

If each individual reacted to those changes negatively, the agency would have fewer individuals to serve because they would seek services from a more adaptable agency.  Change affects each person differently.  Some people adapt well, others have a more difficult time.  The benefit of working in human services, is that when an individual is having a more challenging time adapting, because of the nature of the business, there is always someone to turn to for help.  It is when an individual knows a difficulty exists and they don’t request help that trauma occurs.

 

Lending itself to the more personal aspect, every person has a responsibility to themselves.  Fear is powerful and its tentacles reach far and deep.  Patience runs short, tempers flare and the automated response is to question every action and motivation.  Responses to changes that take place on a personal level are as affective as those that take place professionally.   The ripple effect still applies.  Habitual reactions to changes that are perceived as negative can still be devastating both to the individual and those around them.  For those experiencing and witnessing the changes, each in their respective roles are forced to adjust. 

 

Change is not easy, nor is it meant to be.  Change, can, however, be very rewarding both personally and professionally.  Change, when it is embraced and recognized, brings its own rewards; not the least of which is the opportunity to grow.

 

 

Reviews

[*** Hey Jude***]

I come across this treasure and was more than impressed with you knowledge that you share. Its such an important subject, because so many people fear change. To me change is a constant and its our choice what to do. Go forward in knowledge and strength or don't change; choosing not to grow in the gifts you are wasted. Great writ ~ Jude xo :-)

[JC]

I am unsure if you are writing this as a personal opinion for a magazine or as an article. If it is article, much like what a newspaper would print, you would need to take the 1st person aspect out.

Example:
We that work in human services (behavioral health) must accommodate change in every aspect of our professional and personal lives. Professionally, recent changes here in Arizona, have forced us to adjust to the changes in management and policy at the county...

This would be re-written as:
Those that work in human services, including behavioral health must accommdate change in every aspect of their lives including both professional and personal. Recent changes in Arizona have forced those, who do work in the above mentioned field, to adjust to changes in management and policy at all levels, county....

Other suggestions:

because we as people fear that which we don't understand. (remove this, not all people fear change, or exchange people for Society. As it stands it sounds like a quote Dr. Phil uses all the time.)

Working in Human Services requires a level (of) emotional intelligence and sensitivity, and(remove the conjunction) (A) anytime emotions are brought into play, vulnerabilities become more pronounced.

My final suggestion is to remove the dictionary descriptions at the beginning.

The subject itself if engaging and brings several good points to the forefront, worthy of review by any editor.

Thanks for the invite,

JC

[Ken Simm.]

To personally learn from change is always rewarding. That is what I learned from this. Texhnically it is very well written with just the right amount of personal response. I think it will do well.

[Roger Ferguson II]

very informitive and well writen. i dont know much of the human services fild, but i hope you get this published! ^^

[Jennifer Ryan]

I think this was intelligently written and was laid out well enough that even the most lay of men could understand. Well done. I would definitely submit it.

[R J Askew]

I like it. You had my attention with the first para about change and I thought you came back well to the ripple effect at the end of the article. I think this would be a good read for anyone so immersed in their job that any change could disturb them.

Change is a fascinating subject. I crave all kinds of change in my own life you do little to actiively achieve them and cling to old ways. Change is good and bad. And the same change can be both good and bad at the same time depending on who is viewing it. The older I get the more I recongise the importance of change. My own view of old certainties in my own life also changes. Your article rings true, intuitively and objectively.