Humor and Goodness in Mental Health

At times humor is subject to a fine line, that few people can see. Often times people blunder over it not realizing it exists at all. Certainly humor is in the eye of the beholder.

I work in mental health. I see some BIZARRE stuff. By bizarre, I mean you know I didn't think of it, because I'm not that creative, so by default of logic.....IT HAPPENED.

Often times when I'm venting and sharing a story about some deranged person who thought they were Jesus, the Pope, Napoleon, or just an Ice cream Vendor named Vito; I do think man this is rich turf for material until. Until I realize that Napoleon is somebodies son. Somewhere there is a parent who is worrying about their child, or their parent. Someone who is lost, ashamed, angry, feeling cheated, not unlike the person suffering a malady that happens to be amusing to the rest of us.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all about venting. I'm all about putting others down to lift myself up, but you can't lose sight of those that suffer. I get desensitization. I get emergency room people coping with their lives as best they can to do the best they can; still my point is valid and bears mentioning.

So what is appropriate? How do we deal? I don't know. I think feeling and being present with the client is ok. I think even laughter can be ok. If the client does something odd or funny, you laugh. Again I go back to older adages, With and Not at.

THEY can tell the difference. Anyone who disbelieves that doesn't need to be in the helping profession.

So will I continue to make lite of 300 plus individuals naked, covered in Tabasco Sauce, all in the hopes of being Amorous. You damn right. Will this individual be glad to see me for the umpteenth time when I see them. You damn right.

Sincerely,

Hippocrates