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Modern Midwives Blog
“Sweet dreams are an ideal previse to the dawn. We can begin in sunshine and with purpose. We can draw from a well, filled with rest and possibility. Nothing has been started. Nothing has been spent if we’re lucky. Each day dawns blank a sheet of paper waiting for our story. We start to create it the moment that we wake.”
Episode 2 dealt with issues of continued emotional pain and depression for Lucille, Mr. Tommy Woodley dealt with wanting to remain in his home with worsening macular degeneration, the Reynold’s faced a difficult diagnosis during their pregnancy, and a wonderful Maypole Dance was learned and performed by the children thanks to Sister Monica Joan’s instruction.
What I wanted to focus my blog on was the deepening troubles for District Nurse Lucille Robinson. The topic of depression and suicide ideation are topics that are front and center today. As a modern day midwife I enjoyed witnessing how they highlighted approaches to helping Lucille and found commonalities and some differences. I watched the show several times and really must commend the actress that plays Lucille (Leonie Elliott) for her excellent acting. She so captured the despair, disengagement, inner pain and turmoil that an individual can experience. The opening scene spoke volumes with Phyllis welcoming the day with opening the curtains to the sunshine, looking forward with open eyes and the opportunity of the day. She picked up the cheerful yellow sweater that she was knitting for Lucille. This was juxtaposed with Lucille and you could actually feel her profound pain and sense of being stuck in time. Cyril’s love and watchful gaze and her colleagues alarm and ability to see serious trouble highlight for all of us to be watchful of our loved ones.
We live in troubled times and the leading cause of disability in the world is depression. The World Health Organization estimates that approximately 1 million people die each year from suicide and it is the 2nd leading cause of death in the United States for those aged 15-44 years old. There is a suicide every 12 minutes in the United States. Less than half of people struggling with depression get treatment.
It is important for family, friends, colleagues, and all providers to be aware of risk factors for depression along with warning signs that someone may be at risk for harming themselves. In the show Lucille had this—and those that advocated to assist with building bridges for her to cross over to.
The National Institute of Health had 5 steps you can take to help someone in emotional pain. We witnessed these steps in Call the Midwife. The steps are ASK (“Are you thinking of killing yourself?”), KEEP THEM SAFE (reduce access to items or places), BE THERE (listen carefully and acknowledge their feelings), HELP THEM CONNECT (Call or text the Suicide & Crisis Line (988), STAY CONNECTED (follow up and stay connected after a crisis).
The sense of community and the health providers going into the home within the show highlighted to me –a difference—we often have very limited time for appointments and today varied providers may assist an individual. We must make sure people do not fall between the cracks and communication between providers is there. An important take away from the show was the intensity of how to SEE an individual and ENGAGE with them and it is essential to follow the 5 steps listed above—especially helping them connect and staying connected with following up!! It is essential for providers to do universal screening with clients.
One expansion I noted would also be options for treatment in this modern era. There are brief interventions, psychotherapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) along with others, varied medication options, and collaborative care teams. Collaborative Care is a team-based approach to mental health care. A behavioral health care manager will work with the person, their primary health care provider, and mental health specialists to develop a treatment plan.
I want to thank Call the Midwife for highlighting this important topic. I loved how Lucille was wearing the yellow sweater as she embarked on her healing journey to Jamaica. It was a strong visual of being figuratively wrapped in the warmth, love, and safety of her friends, and colleagues. I always think of yellow as the sunshine and happiness—and she wore it well with a brightness in her eyes and she looked forward to her healing journey.
I wanted to conclude with again stating the 5 steps for suicide prevention from the National Institute of Mental Health/ National Institute of Health, along with resources for crisis hotlines (listed below).
“Nothing is written and no dream has a duty to come true. Their power is to show us where the heart’s desire lies and what beauty really is: a touch, a glance, a glimpse into the future. Lay these moments down like treasure for when today becomes the past we are forever what we are before and what we must let go.”
