Road to the future

Woke just before the alarm this morning and on emerging into the main room of the apartment, saw the beautiful full moon amongst clouds. Got the Pentax and my tripod and had a go at getting a good photo. Despite the lack of detail of the moon surface, I liked my best photo enough to post it as an extra.

The main connection between my various activities today was administration of the Mental Health Act. Questions directly from staff. Also by e-mail. We had a two DHB meeting about community treatment orders. In particular focussed on that the rate of CTOs for Maori is consistently 3-5 times greater than for all others. We discussed what might be done to try and understand this and reduce it.

It was a good meeting, with robust and thoughtful discussion. Not sure of where it will lead. I sang my current song of capabilities for a flourishing life being the right of everyone, including the mentally ill. And therefore, if being on a CTO enhances someone's capabilities, it can be justified. If not? I asked the group what is the point of treating schizophrenia (for example) against a person's wishes, if they remain as disabled as they were before treatment. And still cannot live a flourishing life. A colleague talked of a whanau I know well from previously working in the other DHB, and how by work to help them achieve their capabilities has resulted in cancellation of compulsory treatment orders, partnership in their treatment, and the beginnings of truly flourishing. By providing consistent and caring service, that was non judgemental.

We can do it. If we are brave enough to be challenged on what and how we do.