I am now going to introduce another aspect I came across in WRAP* that highlights those who are unaccounted for in their lives, people dealing with mental health issues (or other medical maladies), as well as the seeds of the groundwork for their individual rights, some of which are mentioned in the WRAP Bill of Rights*.
Many people suffering from mental health difficulties have heard of the barbaric treatment that some people have received in traditional psychiatric hospitals and/or county facilities. It is as if the person’s rights have been “depreciated” to the point where they are treated without respect and/or personal care.
As so many people are treated in a depreciated manner, I am going to define what depreciation means in a course of an accounting method.
Definition and Application - Depreciation, according to the most widely accepted usage, is the decline in value in the use of fixed tangible assets, particularly building and equipment. Long ago, at the inception of these principles, the Interstate Commerce Commission stated that depreciation is the loss in service value not restored by current maintenance and incurred in connection with consumption or prospective retirement of property in the course of service from causes against which the carrier is not protected by insurance, which are known to be in current operation, and whose effect can be forecast with a reasonable approach to accuracy. (This definition was inspired by Wikipedia, as well as my experience working in a tax department.)
This is the message that I receive from this definition if it is applied to people. It is that people can be thought of only in terms of the standard definition of depreciation in business rather than in terms of their high value as a human being; therefore, it is advisable for the medical community - doctors/licensed clinicians/hospitals and psychiatric facilities – to have a holistic approach to health, and not think of a decline in health as a form of depreciation. People need to be appreciated for who they are and not thought of an ailment. Many clients can experience stigma because of these difficulties with mental health – those with insurance and those without it. Both camps may be thought of as sub-par. Hence, the term depreciation must not be confused with such expressions as deterioration, decay, exhaustion, breakdowns, and reoccurring symptoms, set exclusively, set by the “medical model” realm, which can be applied both to physical maladies and mental health difficulties. For example, my father was not correctly diagnosed with vascular dementia until it was late in the game; his heart had reached a functioning state of less than thirty percent. That too is relevant to this type of diagnosing. His “heart” doctor did not pick up on this problem; rather, he was treated like a decaying person, not a valued person of society. As I have written before, I do believe in correct and succinct diagnosis. In that belief, I will not be swayed otherwise. With that said, many proficient and dedicated mental health doctors/providers are currently practicing, too.
I have the right to ask for what I want and need emotionally and otherwise.
I have the right to say no to requests or demands I cannot meet.
I have the right to change my mind and be respected for it.
I have the right to make mistakes, and I don't have to be perfect.
I have the right to follow my values and standards.
I have the right to express all my feelings, both positive and negative, in a manner that will neither offend others nor me.
I have the right to say no to anything when I feel I am not ready, or it does not consider my values.
I have the right to feel angry and to express my anger responsibly and be listened to in an unbiased manner.
I have the right to be uniquely myself.
I have the right to feel scared and say, "I'm afraid."
I have the right to say, "I don't know."
I have the right to make decisions based on my feelings, my beliefs, and values.
I have the right to my reality.
I have the right to my own need for personal space and time, doing relaxing things to unwind.
I have the right to be healthy in mind, body, and spirit.
I have the right to be in a non-abusive environment.
I have the right to change and grow in my unique way.
I always have the right to be treated with dignity and respect.
I have the right to have my needs and wants to be respected by others.
I have the right to be happy.
*Notation: This is not an advertisement to use WRAP. I have no formal or informal agreement with the Copeland Center to earn money in bringing up this strategy.