empathy

I've heard this woman described before and she came up again in a meeting conversation.  I work with people who work with families of high need kids.  I don't get a lot of contact with the families, due to my position, but I feel like I know many of them in an acquaintance type way due to all that I hear about them.

The woman whose issues were deliberated on today is, from what I gather (and mind you I'm far from an expert), mentally unstable.  There's more to it than selfishness or bad parenting skills.  She is certifiably in need.  Or at least that's my opinion.

I realize we live in a world where a lot of people are just plain mean.  A lot of mothers are horrific at mothering and don't give a flying rat's ass about their kids.  But, I want to give this woman the benefit of the doubt and imagine she simply needs a doctor.   She doesn't have the money or the means or probably the desire to visit a psychologist or counselor who could steer her in the right direction. 

What gets me is there are probably many, as in an unfathomable number, of women and men facing this same type of scenario.  They're in a crappy domestic situation.  Their childhood maybe wasn't so lovely.  They have no one to rely on.  And they might not even have a clue that what they're feeling is an abnormality that can be helped. 

During the meeting, part of me wanted to interrupt and say something to the effect of:

"Friends, this may come as a surprise, but someone close to me is bipolar and I think this woman that we're discussing just might be too.  Or have some sort of manic issue or at least a good reason to get checked out.  How can we help get her to that point?  Sure, we care about her kids.  Sure, she seems mega selfish and sinful and ridiculous.  But, we don't know exactly what's going on inside her head."

I didn't say that.  And I don't regret not saying it, because I'm not certain it was the correct thing to say.  But I do wish there was more hope for people.