A Bit O' Context: This is a letter I wrote to an awesome social worker that works at my son's school. She presented an 8 week workshop to parents called Resilient Families. The premise of the workshop is to teach parents ways to cope with day to day stress. One topic that stands out is how our childhood familial structure may impacts our families today. It's a great workshop and it is expanding!
As you read, you will learn a bit about what I was going though during Fall of 2020, into Winter 2021.
Thank you for helping parents learn ways to cope with
stress. The day I started your Resilient Families Workshop in 2020, my focus
was to find ways to tackle my depression and anger. To find ways to cope at
home. Unfortunately, I found myself spiraling deeper and deeper into
depression. On the Wednesdays we were to meet, I tried my best to put on a
brave face and participate, but it got so unbelievably hard to pretend. I was
becoming angry, sad and had unbearable suicidal thoughts. I Stopped attending
your workshop, I believe I made it to 4.
During your workshops, I saw how other people dealt with
stress, the way they expressed their frustrations or triggers. I noticed a
difference between my perception of day to day frustrations. I spent days on
end on the red zone. Small things making me feel anger and frustration beyond
my control. I knew that was not OK for myself or my family. Resilient Families
pushed me to get help. It made me think of how I wanted to live, how I wanted
to thrive. I was tired of trying to deal with the sadness. From your workshop I
also took to writing again.
Four months ago, I decided to speak to my health care provider
and since have started one-on-one therapy sessions. I have also connected with
a psychiatrist. I was diagnosed with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD). It’s
like PMS set on rage. It has been a rough journey, but my family and I are
happier because of it.
I made it to your second to last workshop in 2020, I wanted
to thank you then, but I was still struggling through things. But I cannot thank
you enough for being there. For listening to us and giving constructive
feedback. I recently completed the English version of Resilient Families. It
was a wonderful experience; I wish more people would take the opportunity to
utilize such valuable resources.