Success Stories

Reducing the stigma and fears around mental illness is the single most important factor in successfully helping individuals recovering from mental illness rejoin community life.

The truth is, there are success stories unfolding every day. But they can’t happen without your support — please give what you can to support programs like Community Case Management and Support & Recovery. Donate now.

“I had been camping in the woods for several years and receiving Social Security Income (SSI). I never wanted to get subsidized housing because I was too proud to ask for help. I don’t want people to think I’m trying to take advantage of the system, I don’t like even getting SSI, but I have to. Then everything changed. My daughter’s mother left the state and left her in my care.

I’ll sleep in a tent if I have to, but not with my daughter. I knew I needed a home if she’s going to be with me. I couldn’t do this anymore, not with her. That was when I came to Catholic Charities. I can’t thank them enough, and I want to pay them back. I don’t know how, but someday I will.“

— Tom

Mental Health Services Tom’s case manager helped him access Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-housing (HPRP) and food stamps. He has secured a small two bed-room house to rent. The landlord has been trying to sell the house with no success and has given Tom the option to buy. With the help of USDA Rural Development, this is a possibility.

It hasn’t been a smooth ride for Tom as he adjusts to his new home and being a full-time dad to a young girl. However, Tom is working together with his case manager on a plan of stability to make this situation last far longer than the one year (the full length of assistance that HPRP provides). They continuously work on budgeting within a fixed income and have established counseling and case management services in his area.

“As far as how different I feel, I [feel] better. I still have things to work on with (therapist) and within myself but overall I finally feel like me.”

— DK

DK is a wife and mother to three young boys. She began receiving services in August of 2014. DK has a significant history with trauma and in the beginning of receiving services; she struggled with severe anxiety and depression that decreased her ability to care for herself both physically and mentally. She struggled with leaving her home, engagement with people and providers and identifying any coping skills. During the first year of services, she was hospitalized one time and struggled with medication changes. Over the first year, she developed a trusting relationship with her ACM and was able to work on identifying coping skills and establishing providers. She began to see a psychiatric provider in Augusta who was able to establish a medication regime that worked without creating many side effects. DK began to see a therapist who worked on trauma related issues. This work was extremely difficult for DK but, with much support and encouragement, she pushed through and began to see progress. She learned coping skills, developed feelings of self worth and has increased her ability to advocate for herself. Her symptoms have decreased, she has been able to maintain in the community without hospitalization and has been successfully employed for the past 9 months!