My Privilege Keeps Me Alive - modernfamilyblog.com

Parenting

By Samantha Greene
Updated: April 4, 2021
Originally Published: April 4, 2021
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Recently, I went through a challenging episode related to my bipolar disorder. As the character Quentin Coldwater from “The Magicians” puts it, there are times when my mind just unravels. It started gradually; I found myself engaging in too many arguments on social media, which then spilled into my real-life interactions. An overwhelming sense of dread enveloped me, accompanied by crippling anxiety. When the thought of taking an entire bottle of pills became more appealing than sticking to my prescribed dosage, I reached out to my partner and my psychiatrist, pleading for an appointment that day. It became clear that I needed help.

My partner engaged me in conversation, pretending he was just between classes. He continued to chat with me until we arrived home, knowing I would resist if he mentioned he was leaving his job as a public school teacher. He aimed to keep me focused on him, not on that bottle of pills. The support I received afterward was only possible due to a considerable amount of financial stability and privilege.

Mental Health Care Comes From Privilege

The very fact that my partner could leave work is a testament to our privilege. His remarkable colleagues are aware of my mental health challenges, and they’ve often allowed him to leave for emergencies: like skipping his last free period to get me to an earlier psychiatrist appointment. They understand the importance of mental health care, recognizing that I rely on my partner to be there for me.

That afternoon, he stayed home to look after our children while I drove to see my psychiatrist, who is the best in our state—she previously led the state’s Board of Psychiatry. Given my multiple overlapping conditions, I require someone with substantial expertise. However, my mental health care comes at a high price. My psychiatrist does not accept insurance, so we pay out of pocket at a rate of over $150 for a half-hour session, which I hadn’t budgeted for when I woke up that morning. Plus, I had to spend another $10 on new medication. It may not seem like much, but our monthly expenses for psychiatric medications already exceed $100, even with insurance.

The privilege extended further; my partner took several days off work. While he wasn’t penalized for this time, he had exhausted his sick days and would not be paid for those days off. As a result, his paycheck was noticeably smaller. Yet we managed because my mental health is a priority. I couldn’t have been left alone, especially during a pandemic when our friends couldn’t step in to help.

I had a supportive partner who could leave work, a psychiatrist who could see me on short notice, and the financial means to afford quality care. Additionally, my own employers didn’t penalize me for needing a week off unexpectedly. My experience with mental health care is a clear reflection of privilege.

I’m Fortunate to Have Insurance

Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, mental health parity means that insurance must provide equal coverage for mental health services, including prescriptions. Some of my medications are pricier than others; for instance, the ADHD medication I take cannot be substituted and costs nearly fifty dollars monthly.

Even having insurance is a privilege in America. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, the number of uninsured individuals rose to 28.9 million from 2018 to 2019, not including uninsured seniors. That’s about ten percent of the population. I consider myself lucky that my insurance provides reasonable prescription coverage. I dread to think about the financial burden of my mental health care without it, as most of my medications only require a $9 copay.

My Partner Took Time Off Work

While there aren’t specific statistics on how many employers would allow their employees to leave work due to a spouse’s mental health crisis, it’s likely that the number is low. My partner works in a white-collar job, which generally offers more flexibility. He wasn’t dismissed for needing time off, and his employer was understanding.

We managed to cope with the decrease in his income. It wasn’t easy, but we made it work. Losing a significant portion of our main income source is a lot to handle, but we prioritized my mental health care.

Mental Health Care Is Vital

Without treatment, I wouldn’t be here. It’s a harsh truth, but I live with bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression, and ADHD. According to Medscape, 25-50% of individuals with bipolar disorder will attempt suicide at some point, and 11% will succeed. Over time, bipolar disorder carries a high risk of mortality.

Research indicates that low income is a significant factor associated with suicide risk. The correlation isn’t straightforward; it’s not merely that poor individuals experience stress, leading to suicidal thoughts. The less wealth you have, the less likely you are to have insurance, access to quality mental health care, or a support system willing to take time off when needed.

I have recovered and returned to work, but my experience would have been vastly different without the privileges I possess. My privilege not only provides a safety net but also grants me access to the necessary care.

My privilege keeps me alive. Unfortunately, many others do not share the same fortune.

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Summary:

In this reflective piece, the author discusses their experiences with mental health challenges, emphasizing the role of privilege in accessing necessary care. They highlight the importance of having supportive partners, financial resources, and insurance coverage in managing mental health issues. The author acknowledges that not everyone has the same access to care, which can have life-or-death implications.

Keyphrase: Mental health privilege

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