Child & Adult Behavioral Health

Susan was referred to the Adult Diversion and Stabilization (DAS) program as a step down from the local hospital. Susan had been living in her car for approximately one month, reporting she ‘wanted to see how the other side lived’. She had given up her townhouse with everything in it and only had her important papers, clothing and some personal hygiene products. Once Susan was medically stable, she was transferred to the psychiatric unit to be assessed for mental health symptoms, but she was in denial about her mental health diagnosis. During her stay at the Adult Diversion and Stabilization (DAS) program, she was referred to the Intensive Outpatient Program where she was better able to understand having a mental health diagnosis. She found hope when she realized that her diagnosis is a chemical imbalance and once diagnosed, people are able to live safe, happy, healthy lives. During Susan’s stay, she learned the meaning of mental health and how to take care of herself through the proper use of medications. She was able to step back and take a look at the reasons in which brought her into the world of mental health and recovery. Susan was finally referred to the Service Coordination program which assisted her with finding affordable, safe housing.

Hello, my name is Debbie and I have been involved with Family Services of Western Pennsylvania since April 2013. I have bipolar disorder and have suffered for many years. I am writing this story with the hopes of helping someone else who may struggle with the illness. I have been in and out of hospitals for many years. I have been depressed and angry for many years and didn't tell anyone. I was living a lie...until I hit rock bottom. I did the unimaginable and tried to take my own life. At the time, I was numb, I didn't realize what I was doing, I didn't care about anything. I have two wonderful children and two beautiful grandchildren who I didn't even think of. I didn't call my children to talk about my feelings, nor did I think of the big impact on my family. I was feeling so depressed that I did not want to wake up in the morning. When I tried to take my own life all I could hear was one of my daughters yelling my name. I was on the floor and couldn't get up. Finally I was able to get up and make it to a chair. My daughter was yelling at me, "What did you do?" She called the police and they asked me what I took. I was only able to tell the police that I didn't remember. I woke up in intensive care two days later and was in the hospital for quite a while. While in the hospital I realized what I had done. I kept thinking to myself, "How could I have done this to my daughters and to my family?" and "This was an awful thing I did." I knew I needed some help. I ended up going to a place called Respite at Family Services. At Respite, I received the help and guidance I needed. I was then referred to the Partial Hospitalization program at Family Services where I became active for several months. They helped me put my thoughts back together. Partial gave me the Stone of Courage which is something I never had. I put it in my pocket every day to be able to face the day. Family Services made me see that I am a good and caring person. They made me see that I have a good heart and deserve to live. I learned that I do have good self-esteem and I am a positive person. Now I am with a group at Psycho-social Rehabilitation, a step up from Partial, to continue with my recovery. I have wonderful group leaders who have helped me so much. I am now seeing a great doctor and therapist and taking the right medication to get back to being myself. I wish I had known about this program years ago. If I had, then I probably would have never hit rock bottom. My relationship with my daughters before Family Services seemed to be terrible. I tortured (figuratively) my one daughter while she struggled with cancer which was a terrible thing for a mother to do. I didn't realize what I was doing to her until a long time later. I only hope that she is able to forgive me some day. I think she has, but I fear it will always be in the back of her mind. At the time I was struggling, my daughters were never so close. After bettering me, my relationships with my daughters are much better. I am now on the road to recovery. I made it! I am happy, content and living a great life with my family and friends. I want to thank my family and Family Services for being there for me and for giving me the support that I needed to get well. If there is anyone out there dealing with the same struggles I went through, always remember that there is help. You can get well again and live life to the fullest.