I feel as if people treat it too harsh
This may be just a vent of mine, but I'm 33M and have been in the field for the past six years. Before becoming a DSP/CRMA/MHRT - I was a lobster fisherman, a commercial fishing pier foreman, a clerk, and many other odd jobs sprinkled in there. Maybe it's just because of my overwhelming positive mindset, or even my extremely optimistic outlook, but being in this field is the best thing that's ever happened to me.
I was a shell of myself, just stopped drinking and doing drugs, partying, recently divorced, etc. These people that I supported didn't give a single shit about who I was before, what mask I wore, or that I was new to it. The company I worked for offered a live-in position while I was homeless, and I genuinely felt as if I lived with the individuals for at least 3 to 4 days out of the week, where I didn't have to worry about having a roof over my head.
Sure, behaviors, management, state laws, and other variables can be extremely daunting, but they are such a miniscule part of what the job is and who these people actually are. I've been screamed at, grabbed aggressively, spit on, cleaned feces and urine, done things that were outside the scope of what the job is, but it is absolutely nothing compared to the happy times, the relaxed times, the times where someone who was hurt and constantly bailed out on as a kid or teenager learned to trust me.
Gaining their trust was the first opening of my eyes that I had in a long time, that I was still worthy of that admiration and I can change. Since then I got a place that I've held for 6 years now (the longest sinc adolescence), took care of my physical and mental well-being, and I returned to college. Without all of this structure and learning how to find myself, along with the people I've supported teaching me more about myself that I never knew, has been an absolute blessing more than I could have ever imagined when I started this thinking "I'll be here until I get a place then I'll dip."
These jobs are different, these jobs are difficult, and I tip my cap to anyone who has the fortitude to just try it. It's not the worst thing in the world, and the flexibility is pretty fantastic considering I work three 12's and have four days off to recoup. Please, just remember that anyone's life you walk into, even if briefly, tell them that you're going to leave if you are, closure is something we all need at one point or another and in a field that's a revolving door for these people often forgotten or pushed aside by society, any closure for them about someone leaving is positive.
Much love to all of you, and if you ever need to vent please feel free to reach out, I'm in this with you.