During the course of working with family members and various organizations we have met many people that have triumphed over their problems with mental illness and they have been an inspiration to our organization and they have also reaffirmed our work on these projects and why they are important.

Here are a few stories that have inspired us (their names are withheld for their privacy)

“Stephen”

Stephen is living proof that with the right help, that anyone that is dealing with the worst effects of mental illness can get to a place where they can live a more productive, happier life.  He started out homeless on Los Angeles’ Skid Row since being released from a Mental Hospital in 1979.  He suffered from auditory hallucinations that caused him to make numerous suicide attempts and undergo hospitalization and struggled with a drinking problem for 15 years. 

He finally received the help he needed and in the last few years has been able to secure a home of his own, and stop drinking and control the symptoms of mental illness with the right medications.  He is now a counselor for others that were in his same position and works with many Hispanic consumers to help them also regain their lives.  He also met his future bride while counseling.  Congratulations to him and his efforts and for being a great inspiration to us all!

The book we have been writing about Stephan will be out over the summer of 2010!

“Eddie”

Someone dealing with the effects of mental illness goes through unimaginable problems throughout their lives.  The only other thing that can come close to it is the experiences that the family members have while trying to help and watching their family members go through these horrible times.

Eddie is an exceptionally bright man with a genius IQ.  His family didn’t understand why he acted so different all of his life since the rest of the family seemed “normal”.  It wasn’t until much later, after years of neglect of treatment and alcoholism that a doctor finally saw through his act of covering up his illness.  Doctors prior to that had simply said “He’s just very bright” and other things that had no diagnostic help. 

But that was only the first step.  Years of alcoholism used to self treat his problems (very common in a majority of cases) were difficult to overcome.  Not to mention years of being arrested, in prison and homeless on the streets of New Orleans which ravaged his mind and soul.  People with mental health issues often find themselves in jail from being misunderstood while under psychotic episodes etc. 

The toll on the family and friends of anyone with mental illness can be devastating.  The parents think “what did I do wrong?”, siblings resent the turmoil, friends and significant others move away.  Often times it only gets worse as time goes on if not caught and treated early.  Memories of the lost years for the mentally ill relative as well as the whole family can be tarnished forever.  Too often people just don’t know why a person is acting the way they do and don’t know where to go to get help and everyone suffers.This is yet another reason for our crusade so that family and loved ones can find help quick, get early detection and treatment and the additional effective support they need. 

Finally, under close supervision of family members, and also family education on the illness, treatments and support options, “Eddie” was able to get the correct support he needed to get off the streets, get the proper medications and start to live a more productive life.  Professionals helped as much as they could, although even they note that without a family member moving these things along and challenging the system, there is little hope for those out there without family.  Ironic since most mentally ill people have done so much damage to the relationships of those closest to them that they are almost all alone trying to make it.  Fortunately for Los Angeles’ mentally ill community, they are now making changes which should help many more people. 

Although the story doesn’t end here and is not perfect, it is a journey after all, our family members can now see hope instead of despair for his future and everyone is healing together.

We'll be adding more stories...how about yours?

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