Disappointing and Unsupportive Experience
I went into this process already feeling nervous because I had never done anything like this before. One of the first questions I was asked was what my mental health disability was. I explained that I personally didn’t feel comfortable labeling myself as having a disability, but I tried to explain the struggles and symptoms I’ve been dealing with. Because I didn’t immediately identify with having a “disability,” it felt like the conversation was already over before it even began. There was very little effort to understand more about what I was going through or why I was seeking support in the first place. Instead of feeling heard, I was told that my symptoms sounded “manageable” and was questioned on why I hadn’t sought treatment sooner if they were truly affecting me. That response felt incredibly invalidating. I never really got the opportunity to fully explain what I’ve been going through or why getting my dog ESA certified was important to me and how much emotional support she has provided in my life. I explained that access to treatment and affordability have been barriers for me, which is why I sought more natural forms of support and coping. Overall, the interaction left me feeling judged rather than supported, which was disappointing considering the nature of the service.