Community Questions (article 1)

Community Questions (article 1)
Joni Jones HiBU Intro

HiBU is a community magazine known to bring people and businesses together. Just as the organization has introduced themselves now to our community, I have the opportunity to introduce myself to you.

My name is Joni and I am a registered nurse certified in psychiatric and mental health nursing. I am also a certified developmental disabilities nurse. When asked to join this community connection I knew without hesitation that I should, and soon confirmed that I absolutely would.

I then asked myself what avenue would be best to bring us all together. The answer seemed to become quite clear. In fact it supports the theme of the magazine…communication. Yes, that’s right…communication.

Effective communication comes when it is a two way street. There is listening and there is responding. There should be no potholes either. Keeping it honest and keeping it real makes a solid foundation. Communication should also be based on empowerment. It should be clear and free from confusion.

The next question was what will prompt our communication? The answer is actually in the question. Community Questions…what a great way for our community to be brought together and what a great title for this monthly column.

The reader can e-mail questions to askjoniquestions@gmail.com or contact the magazine directly. Real people in real time can make a difference.

Answers to questions will be based on my own experiences. I’m not a psychiatrist but I am a person with experience. I work in an acute psychiatric voluntary short stay hospital unit. I work with people with many different mental health challenges, inclusive of substance abuse and addictions. I have been known for many years for my work in the field of developmental disabilities.

Therapeutic conversations in a group or 1:1 setting may become quite valuable for all involve. I usually reinforce in our group settings that if you have learned just one thing from your participation it can be life changing. I feel this way here too. Community participation and sharing can be life changing for all of us here.

I stick by a philosophy of keeping things simple. Our minds are so powerful that things can become quite confusing so I personally have developed a formula that has helped many in their own empowerment and decision making processes.

I personally have struggled because I grew up with the “Brady Bunch” and constant tag lines of “happily ever after.” When my family did not emit the “Brady Bunch” portrayal almost unconsciously I thought something was wrong with me. When things weren’t “happy ever after” I really wanted to know where things went wrong and acquired a plummeting self-esteem.

I found myself with a used up energy source trying to fit in a world that simply does not exist. The physical symptoms that ensued became overly challenging but yet led me to a path today that has helped me, and has helped me help others. This is the goal of this column.

The next article will reveal the foundational formula that I along with those who have participated in my group, found to be helpful in personal growth and pursuit of personal happiness. There have been many who have been told that they are great at giving other people advice, and questioned as to why they can’t do that for themselves.

The reader will now be presented with the tools needed to be empowered to assist them in their own decision making processes, to help reach optimal potentials in their life. I look forward to our community’s participation.