Rafe’s story ‘is not unique’: Lost in RI’s broken mental health system.
Meet my brother, Raphael Leon Sweeney (Rafe). The best thing I can say about his situation today is that he’s not dead, and he’s not in jail.
by Kara Sweeney Guerriero
I recognize it could be worse but he has spent the majority of the last five years in a locked inpatient unit. He doesn’t need to be there, but the system of care has been incapable of being creative in addressing his needs to allow him to have the life he deserves in the community. I know many good people are working hard to make people like Rafe’s lives better, but they’re operating in a broken system. These are big problems, but there ARE solutions. I launched INCITE Consulting Solutions in 2016 to improve how organizations operate, how they create clarity, build community and support their staff. We’re trying to make better behavioral healthcare a reality for the individuals, families, and communities that need them.
Read Rafe’s story, recently published on the front page of The Providence Journal Rafe’s story ‘is not unique’: Lost in RI’s broken mental health system.
“I’m spending the next 30 years of my life doing whatever I can to fix this. Rafe is a lovely, generous, and kind man. If the pain that he has gone through can affect positive change for others,
Kara Sweeney Guerriero
then it is worthwhile.”
People don’t get into social work to make a lot of money. Over the last 20 years, I have been privileged to meet so many people in the behavioral health care industry who have hearts of gold, who got into this industry to make a difference, help people, and change lives. You are amazing: you show up at work, day in and day out, often during people’s most difficult times, and make their lives better. Do you ever stop to think how many lives you saved? Are still saving? How do we harness that passion, that energy, that drive? How do we focus it towards making real change, positive change happen?
Tell us your “why”. What’s your idea? We’d love to hear from you and light a fire under some great ideas. Share with us, or connect through social media! Let’s work on the problems together: we can solve this!
