Success Stories

Kyle’s Story

When Kyle first came to Program for Assertive Community Treatment (PACT), his life was in turmoil. In the middle of getting his BA in Accounting from a top state university, he was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. After seeking initial treatment, Kyle returned to school and finished his degree. However, as recovery is not linear, Kyle eventually started experiencing an increase in symptoms and had to stop work and move back in with his family. He returned to using drugs and alcohol to cope, was hospitalized several times, and was in and out of jail.

Three years ago, Kyle was referred to PACT by another community service organization. He started meeting with his intensive treatment team which included a prescriber, a peer specialist, a clinician and medical staff. The family started working with the PACT team as well. They all - family and client, started a journey of acceptance regarding his diagnosis. The family started learning about schizophrenia and what they could do to help Kyle. Kyle began to learn how to identify and manage symptoms as well as how to cope with addiction. Over the past three years, there have been bumps in the road - a few hospitalizations, relapses and loss of housing. However, through it all, Kyle has gained willingness to learn what it takes to move into and remain in recovery.

Kyle’s dreams for the future are the typical things most people want - to have a job, a home and someone to love and love him. He has come to terms with the fact that a mental health diagnosis does not mean one’s life has ended. Kyle is steadily learning to cope in ways where he can successfully create a meaningful life.

After all, a meaningful life is what it’s all about - whether or not one has a mental illness.

He has an apartment in Compass housing, a volunteer job at the Peer Center and meets with his treatment team every day. He does what it takes to stay sober and is rapidly developing a small community of friends. His relationship with his family is steadily improving - having Sunday dinner with his parents each week and has started thinking about getting a part time job. Maybe even one where he could start using his college accounting degree again.

Disclaimer:  The name in the story has been changed to protect the individual’s privacy.

My Name is Esther

My name is Esther (name has been changed to protect privacy) and I moved into my new home in February 2011. I started coming to Compass Health in March 2011 to see a counselor about my depression and my up and down moods. I also began seeing a prescriber here to help with my medicines. Soon after beginning counseling in March, I began to go to the Peer Support center. I enjoy coming to the Peer Support Center because everyone here is friendly, and I get to meet new people here all the time. Shortly after starting to attend the Peer Support Center, I applied to become a volunteer. I am a volunteer greeter. My job is to greet people. I say hello and ask them if they have signed in. If they say no, I ask them to sign in. I also get to tell people about what groups and activities we are doing at the center. Being part of the Peer Support Center has helped me in my recovery. I am more balanced now than I have ever been. I’m on less medication than ever before. The Peer Support Center has helped in my recovery because I go to the support groups. I come here on my days and I know where everything is. I get to meet people I would have never met if I didn’t come here. I just really love it here at the Peer Support Center. I love being here and I love the people here.

Penny’s Story

Penny came into services at Compass Health as a troubled 15 year old. Penny was sent to Compass Health by the juvenile courts, after having been accused of stealing while at high school.  Penny’s grades in school had dropped significantly with her reduced motivation due to poor support.  She was living part time with her mother and part time with her maternal grandparents, who had relocated from California to assist in caring for Penny. At the assessment, it became apparent that Penny’s mother had some mental health challenges of her own and was blaming Penny for her own failures.

In treatment, Penny’s mother was encouraged to allow her parents to be more involved. Penny moved into to her grandparents’ home and with family counseling, Penny was supported for her successes and positive behaviors. Penny addressed her anger with her mother and the neglect by her father. With positive re-enforcement from her grandparents, Penny began to regain her success at school. She began to participate in choir at school and found success for singing and song writing. Penny also began performing in the choir and offering solos at her church. Penny found that a change in her social relationships was steering her away from some of the troubled youth that she had been friends with at the time of her legal problems.

Now Penny is an “A” student in classes that include advanced placement courses. She continues building her self-esteem with her singing and performing. She still has some difficult interactions with her mother but she is able to overcome her mother’s criticisms without sabotaging herself. She is working on weekends and planning a college career. Penny’s grandparents continue their positive support and have benefited from the information and support they have received through family counseling sessions at Compass Health.

Jessie’s Story

Jessie was 41 years old when she first started services at Compass Health, being diagnosed with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder as well as Cannabis and Alcohol dependence.  She struggled to create and maintain healthy boundaries with those close to her, especially with the opposite sex, making poor choices that lead to unhealthy relationships.  She had difficulty with self esteem which stemmed from her abusive past relationships and found her self making sacrifices to meet the needs of the men in her life before meeting her own. Battling custody for her son as well as relapsing several times over the course of treatment with Compass Health, Jessie wasn’t sure if she would ever “become well enough to function and be a good mom for her son.” She tried to work but her struggle with her anxiety and addiction resulted in her quitting her job and falling into a depression that seemed to take over her life.

As her treatment progressed, she began to learn how to set and maintain boundaries, live on her own and raise her son without having to rely on others to support her.  A true test occurred when her second husband, separated, began to stalk her and interfere with her AA meetings, demeaning her, as well as try to step between her and her son who was 12 years old.  She said, “In the past I would have caved in and allowed him back into my home, now, I went and filed for a divorce, found another AA meeting, and stood up for myself and my son.” After the divorce was finalized, Jessie expressed that she was ready to move on from treatment, having been sober for a year, maintaining her business of restoring vintage clothes, and having developed a safe and healthy relationship with a childhood friend.   Jessie went from a nervous, defeated woman to a vibrant, happy and confident one.

Robert’s Story

Robert entered services with Compass Health on a court order following several hospitalizations for manic and psychotic symptoms. At that time he was under the supervision of the Department of Corrections and was seen at that office due to risk issues. He was on probation for assaulting a community member when manic/psychotic. This gentleman was well known by mental health providers in the area for many years.

When he came to Compass he was very thin, living in very poor conditions with no water or electricity. He was hearing voices regularly and had difficulty tracking conversations. He required basic case management to meet his basic needs. He attended treatment regularly and started taking medication. He was assisted in learning to manage the challenges of his voices and mood changes. He was assisted in accessing medical care.

This gentleman became stable and was able to manage his illness. He has been able to develop a support system of friends and community members. He has a roommate and pets that he cares for. He has increased his interest in past hobbies and reconnected with his family. He is now able to identify when his symptoms are increasing and work with his doctor to continue to manage them. He is living his life and finding joy.