In this month of May, as we continue the observance of Mental Health Month, we also recognize the caretakers of the person with mental illness; the often overlooked and underappreciated parents of the person with mental illness. This week’s article addresses the caretakers; what they go through.

The responsibility of caring for a relative with mental illness most often rests with the family members. Many studies have reported that the reactions to or consequences of providing care make the role of a caregiver most challenging, resulting in a source of stress.

Mental illness can be most disabling and limits the persons functioning in many differing areas of life. Care becomes a necessity for them, most specifically as a result of shifting from institutionalized care to the responsibility of informal caregivers.

Studies have shown that the caregiver of a person with mental illness has positive outcomes: gratitude and appreciation from the patient, improved family cohesion, development of resiliency, and gaining a sense of self-worth and accomplishment.

The down-side of caring for a person with mental illness is that the impact of care giving on both the physical and mental health of the caregiver has always been equally well documented; as evident by their exhibiting depressive and anxiety symptoms, higher levels of stress than non-caregivers, have more out-patient health care visits, and have a generally poorer quality of life.

Family members, as caretakers, frequently face fear, anger, and frustration with their loved one with mental illness…very often leaving them with unanswered questions. Often people believe that when their loved one is in a crisis situation that he can involuntarily be admitted/committed to a mental health treatment facility.

The reality is that a person cannot be involuntarily admitted/committed to a facility unless they meet the stringent requirements of “Being in danger to themselves or others.” Even then, if they are admitted, they can only be held in treatment for a few days, or at best, a few weeks as mandated by federal and state laws; or by insurance companies dictating their treatment needs (who shift the care away from hospitals/in-patient treatment facilities to the community mental health authority).

But what of the adult person with a mental illness who does not exhibit behaviors of being “dangerous to themselves or others,” yet not really able to care for themselves? This task often falls on the family members. For family members who still maintain the role of loving parents of the person with mental illness, they become caretakers out of their life-long role of being caretakers due to their responsibility of always being a parent…even if their child is an adult.

This is a most awesome and admirable task; one that is met with great difficulty.

I bring to mind the many thousands of families I worked with in the past, and I shall tell you about one family that is illustrative of this great responsibility. We shall call them John and Jane, and their adult son Mickey. This is their story:

“Our Son Mickey is now 50 years of age. He was first given a diagnosis of Schizophrenia as a teenager, after being placed by us into treatment as we could not control his symptomatic violent behavior toward us and his siblings. We placed him in many treatment facilities, on one such treatment episode, he ran away from the facility. Upon completion of in-patient treatments he was followed up in out-patient care. It was always very difficult to monitor his medication and his appointments during that period. Upon becoming an adult, Mickey was committed to state-run treatment facilities on more than three occasions; but only kept there for a few days and then released. As an adult, he did not follow through with his out-patient treatment for any length of time…stopping his medication and therapy appointments, and began using alcohol and illegal drugs to control his symptoms.

“He worked off and on through his young adult years, but his employment periods were very short lived. He was placed on Social Security Disability, at around 30 years of age, and we were informed by the Judge that he would be in charge of his finances. In his late 40’s, although his behavior problems were most difficult, we could no longer tolerate him living with us, and we purchased a mobile home and lot for him to live in about a mile from our home; always maintaining contact with him and attending to his care.

“Mickey was also diagnosed with a Mixed Personality Disorder, the symptoms of which prevent him from maintaining work or social relationships. Now, he does not always follow through with his medication regimen and appointments as far as we know, but has no motivation to do anything. He stays up at night, and sleeps a lot during the day. He has no interest in anything. His having difficulty managing any part of his financial obligations…he has borrowed a lot of money, so much so that all of his SSD check goes to paying that back.

“His medical providers are bound with rules under the Privacy Act and they are not allowed to tell us anything as we are not his legal guardians. We provide him food and pay his utilities. We are asked most often, “Why are you guys taking care of Mickey? Why don’t you just let him go?” Our answer is (which many do not understand): we are his parents and he is ill. It is our responsibility to always care for our children. If we were to “let him go” he would most definitely become a “Street Person,” and would perish. We do not want that for him. We have been in counseling with and without Mickey on numerous occasions, and we are in a constant state of frustration on what else we can do. We are becoming aged, and are completely stressed out; and at our wits end. What are we to do?”

The stories of Mickey, and his parents John and Jane, are echoed by many caretaker parents in our society…there are many Mickey’s out there. And, unless the family member with mental illness is not “dangerous to themselves or others,” and the person does not want to take care of themselves, the parent caretakers are indeed “left holding the bag”…what else can they do? Many parents would, and have, just “let go” and have their family member attempt survival on their own; but many parents “muddle through” and continue their caretaking of the person.

I have a great deal of empathetic understanding for them. Until next time, stay healthy my friends.

What does teaching kids about their history and culture have to do with being healthy? According to research it can make all the difference. My high school age son often asks why kids in the Rio Grande Valley tend to refuse to speak Spanish at school once they get older, or even act like their Mexican cultural heritage is something bad?

I remind him of the Valley’s history of linguistic and cultural repression in the educational system. I have heard from many people who grew up here, even in my generation, they were forbidden from speaking Spanish in school and punished severely for it. To outsiders it seems ludicrous not to capitalize on this local language asset, given the marketability of bilingualism, Spanish being one of the three most widely spoken languages in the world, along with Mandarin Chinese and English.

While our local educational systems are still operating under the mentality that children need to be quickly and thoroughly immersed and assimilated into an English only environment, the wealthiest, highest achieving school districts around the country and world understand and invest in the value of good bilingual education. But what is the big deal, you might ask, about language?

Language is a core component of culture and identity and when people deny or suppress it, there can be mental and physical health ramifications. “Studies have consistently found robust correlations between positive affiliation and engagement with their culture and Indigenous young people’s well-being and resilience. Resilience consists in the processes by which people overcome life challenges to achieve their sense of well-being. Strong and positive links to their culture support young people, especially as they encounter and respond to hardships,” according to Dr. Lisa Wexler, researcher at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, School of Public Health.

If you’ve ever had to adapt to a new culture or language, you can appreciate the discomfort and stress involved. Layering that constant stress into school and social situations creates a divide and distances kids from their identity and often their elders. Those connections to our parents and grandparents’, or any elder, in all cultures, are crucial for learning and healthy development.

I recently overheard a neighbor boy and his grandfather in a sweet exchange. The grandpa was telling the boy how when he was young he would catch fresh crab and bring them home for his mama to prepare for dinner in the tiny coastal village in Mexico where he grew up. “There was nothing so delicious, mihito, as the fresh crab with my mother’s salsa made from the tomatoes, chiles and cilantro she grew.”

The grandson, eyes wide with interest, replied, “Grandpa, did your mama really let you go fishing all by yourself? Was it really the best food you ever tasted?” The older gentleman replied, “Yes mihito, and after our bellies were full my brothers and I would bathe in the river, put on our only pair of shoes, comb our hair and walk into the town plaza to watch the pretty girls.”

I too remember my own father’s stories growing up during the Depression and working hard with his parents and siblings in the cotton fields as sharecroppers in Arkansas. He would turn on the southern drawl he had lost and tell me there was nothing a good as a biscuit and buttermilk, churned from cow’s milk by his mother. Knowing that history makes me proud of how hard he worked and inspires me to do the same.

My grandmother, descendant of German immigrants, late into her years with Alzheimer’s Disease, would describe for me over and over the pie her mother made from the rhubard she grew in her garden, with “Dutch” as she called it (meaning German) words peppered into her description. Those connections are crucial to whom I am.

There are some great models of programs and communities fostering the connection between culture and health. When Toas Pueblo in New Mexico started seeing poor health, educational and economic outcomes in their youth, they reached back to the past and focused on teaching culture and language to the little ones. Now a strong tribal identity is instilled in the Pueblo’s youngest children, as English and Tiwa — the community’s native oral language — are taught side by side as part of their preschool program. Traditional Tiwa values of welcoming family and community members and showing respect for them is at the heart of their improving statistics.

They also have a community farm and market where youth learn traditional agricultural practices alongside their elders. This community has taken great strides to improve their health outcomes, simply by focusing back on their history, culture and language.

Another example is the Lac du Flambeu Chippewa Indians in Wisconsin. In 2013, the Tribal Council declared a “state of emergency” because of the endemic drug and alcohol abuse. This set into motion a change in direction of this community and put them back on a path toward better health—which would begin by restoring the dignity and foundation of this unique Ojibwe culture.

“Health isn’t just about taking a pill or getting a diagnosis. It’s about having that strong cultural identity. It’s physical. It’s emotional. It’s spiritual,” says Carol Amour, a former teacher and now consultant at Lac du Flambeau Public School.

By resurrecting cultural teachings, tribal members say they can have the most impact now and on the next generations. This promotes pride, self-efficacy and better health in the long run, according to a report on the improved health of the community on the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Prize website.

Research shows that when people have higher self-efficacy, and feel empowered with a locus of control over their decisions about behavior, they will make healthier choices. One way to build self-efficacy is to teach young people about their history and encourage them to identify the assets of their family and culture.

When kids can embrace their culture, and not feel forced to reject or deny it in exchange for complete assimilation to a larger mono-culture, they are more successful in life. This doesn’t mean they reject the new or dominant culture at all. In fact it can help them embrace the best of both. In reminding our kids of their immigrant heritage, their local historic ties to Mexico and all of the food, language and traditions that accompany it, they can better reflect on the changes in lifestyle, some for better and some for worse, and be empowered to make decisions grounded in the security of who they are. We need to encourage conversations with grandparents and elderly neighbors about what their lives were like growing up — where they played, worked, the plants and food they grew and ate when they were young.

Teaching language, history and connecting the elderly with the young, in schools, churches, parks and neighborhood gardens will cultivate pride in identity so kids grow up to make healthy decisions based on the best of both cultures, because Tu Salud ¡Si Cuenta! (Your Health Matters!)

Lisa Wexler. “The Importance of Identity, History, and Culture in the Wellbeing of Indigenous Youth” The Journal of History of Childhood and Youth Vol. 16 Iss. 1 (2009) Available at: http://works.bepress.com/lisa_wexler/2/

WESLACO — For McAllen Rowe quarterback Jonathan Perez, finding receiver Hector Bosquez has become almost second nature during games.

During a tie game late in the first half of the Rio Grande Valley Coaches Association East-West All-Star game, those instincts took over as Perez rolled out to his left and found Bosquez for a 27-yard touchdown.

Their latest hook up broke a 3-3 tie and gave the West All-Stars a lead they would not relinquish as they rolled to a 24-3 victory over the East squad on Saturday night at Bobby Lackey Stadium in Weslaco.

“I stepped out of the pocket and I saw (Bosquez), and I knew I could trust him because he’s my receiver during the season,” Perez said. “It was good to hook up with him one last time.”

While the trust was there, hauling in the pass near the goal line was still a challenge against a solid East defense.

Full story at RGVSports.com

SAN BENITO — Joseph Saavedra kneeled over his team’s robot, facing the opponent across the white mat. But who was the opponent? Was it Hidekel Hernandez from Angela Leal Elementary, or the wheeled contraption made of Legos and a small electronic brain?

As soon as the announcer said, “Ready. One, two, three,” the answer was clear. Robot and student were working in tandem to push the other robot out of the black circle.

Joseph, 10, fought the good fight, but in the end the robot from Hidekel’s team won the day.

“I was so close,” said Joseph, a fourth grader at Dr. C.M. Cash Elementary who’d represented his team “Lord of the Ring” at the event.

The challenge at yesterday’s “Mindstorms Robotics Competition” was a Sumo Contest. The competition took place in the Veterans Memorial Academy gymnasium. The young competitors, 115 of them, came from eight elementary schools, two middle schools, Veterans Memorial Academy and San Benito High School. Students from the Cameron County Amador Rodriguez Boot Camp also competed.

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HARLINGEN — Their T-shirts and files are stuffed into boxes.

That’s because there’s literally no space in the current United Way of Northern Cameron County office. Currently, the organization rents a room in the Harlingen Water Works building.

But that could change as soon as August.

On Friday, the United Way of Northern Cameron County announced that after 63 years of service to the community, it will have a place of its own to call home.

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“We are so excited,” said executive director Jessica Belschner.

The historic home at 320 E. Harrison recently was purchased by the organization. It is the original townsite for Harlingen and has been converted into office space.

More importantly, it is about three times as large as the United Way’s current office and located close to many of the organization’s community partners.

“With this additional visibility and growth the organization will be able to make an even greater impact and continue to improve on its mission of mobilizing the caring power of our community,” Belschner said.

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HARLINGEN — If City Manager Dan Serna has his way, a lot of family life in Harlingen eventually will revolve around Lon C. Hill Park.

Serna revealed a project last week he has taken a direct role in — a dramatic renovation and expansion of the park.

The already popular park could become one of the gems in the Rio Grande Valley once completed.

“We could develop this park into a community gathering area, an area where you could do multiple activities in one location with your family,” Serna told the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board last week.

This was the first time such a major renovation of Lon C. Hill has been revealed as a focus of the city of Harlingen.

Serna conceded it may be a “pipe dream,” but he delivered with passion his vision of what Lon C. Hill Park could become.

Although no numbers were presented as to what the project would cost, Serna said he has been in discussions about potential partnerships and says he’s confident costs for development of the mega-complex would be reasonable.

“We hired an architect and I sat down with him and started going over my ideas of how this park could be laid out,” Serna told the board.

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BROWNSVILLE — Friday night marked the end of the early voting period, and if the trend keeps up this runoff election could have the greatest participation Cameron County election officials have observed in some time.

The participation is not too surprising, given the higher than usual turnout in the primary election in March.

As of Friday night, 11,222 voters participated in the Democratic runoff, and 1,277 voted Republican.

“This runoff is producing the highest number of returning voters than we have seen in the past. … Our most recent high was a total of 10,621 in 2012. (Friday’s total) represents an 18 percent increase over that year,” said Remi Garza, elections administrator.

The Democratic Party had 67 percent of its early voters return, which Garza said is extremely high for a runoff election. Overall, 57 percent of the voter base returned to vote.

A large number of the participants in the 2016 runoff election are Democratic voters. They may be returning to the polls because of the interest in the county judge race, the county commissioner Pct. 1 race or the county constable Pct. 2 race, Garza said.

Republican numbers, on the other hand, are slipping back to what’s considered normal for the county.

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SOUTH PADRE ISLAND — Cameron County is ready to move forward with its Coastal Parks Master Plan after making some slight changes to the legal wording.

County Administrator David Garcia has previously said the improvements were estimated to cost the county about $23 million.

A large portion of that cost will be because of the various improvements planned for Isla Blanca Park, including a boardwalk, rental cabanas, a picnic pavilion and a drop-off area.

Other considerations included relocating the entrance, redeveloping Dolphin Cove and upgrading the RV sites.

Those improvements should cost about $15.8 million, according to previous data from Parks and Recreation.

Similar improvements will be made in Andy Bowie Park and Edwin King Atwood Park at smaller price tags: $2.5 million and $3.9 million, respectively.

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Events coming up

Summer Food Program

HARLINGEN — The Boys & Girls Club of Harlingen announces the sponsorship of the Summer Food Service Program.

Meals will be provided at the sites listed below, from June 6 to August 12 at the times listed.

Meals will be provided to any child ages 1-18 years of age during the prescribed feeding time. In accordance with federal law and USDA policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Adjudication and Compliance, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 or (202) 720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Boys and Girls Clubs of Harlingen Summer Food Program Sites

* Harry Nigro Unit – 1209 West Washington: Noon – 1:30 p.m. (June 16- August 12)- Monday-Friday.

* Ben Milam/Bonita Park Unit- 1215 Rangerville Road: 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. (June 6-July 29)- Monday-Friday

* Lamar/Los Vecinos Unit- 1100 McLarry Road: 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. (June 6- July 29)- Monday-Friday

* Lemoyne Gardens Unit- 3221 North 25th Street: 12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. (June 6- August 12)- Monday- Friday

* Wilson/Primera Unit: Corner Stuart Place Road and Primera Road: 10 p.m. – 2 p.m. (June 6- July 29)- Monday-Friday.

More Summer Programs

The Boys & Girls Club of Harlingen will host a Summer Program from June 6 to Aug. 12.

Scheduled programs include Basketball Camps, High School Girls Sports Leagues, Special Academic and Technology Activities, Fitness Development Programs, Inflatable Games, Daily Tournaments and Door Prizes, Skate Park, Baseball/Softball Games, Field Trips/Outings, Teen Nights, Special Events, and a wide variety of recreational games.

Registration for all ages is $10 for the entire summer.

Club sites include the Main Unit in Fair Park (9 a.m. – 5 p.m.), Lamar School Unit (10 a.m. -4 p.m.), Lemoyne Gardens Unit (10 a.m. -4 p.m.), Ben Milam School Unit (10 a.m. – 4 p.m.), and Wilson School Unit (10 a.m. -4 p.m.).

All Clubs feature air conditioned gymnasiums and other facilities, computer rooms, game rooms, outdoor play areas, library/academic areas, and fitness areas.

Contact the Main Unit at 428-4183 for additional information.

LAGUNA VISTA — The grant application to reconstruct Orange Lane from Hibiscus Drive to FM 510 has received a preliminarily recommendation for funding by The Texas Department of Agriculture.

The amount of the grant is $238,870.

“This is exciting news for the community,” said City Manager Rolando Vela.

“The town, with the leadership and support from the town council, has made street improvements a priority and is striving to make these improvements throughout the community,” Vela said.

The town has used grant funds to make improvements to Hibiscus Drive, Palo Blanco Drive, Tangello Court and Mango Court.

Recently, general funds were used to make improvements to Mesquite Drive and Palm Drive.

These street improvements were completed with no tax increases.

“We’re pleased with this news. As a town, we’ve completed these street improvements with no tax increases,” said Mayor Susie Houston.

“We’ve been prudent with our limited funds and have attempted to maximize grants like this one. We also save money by our town staff self-administering these grants.”

To “make” money, the staff administers all grants it receives in-house, Vela said.

The town ends up getting reimbursed by the state for the staff’s time in grant administration.

“We have an obligation to the citizens to be frugal with our limited resources and to make every effort to maximize the opportunities we have to generate revenues for the town by self-administering grants such as this one,” Vela said.