Ways to Give

I always planned to move after high school and attend a college a few hours away, until graduation came I decided this only child was too afraid to move away from mom and dad. I attended the local university for two years while dating my high school sweetheart. I found myself tired all the time, taking naps in between classes, skipping out on an occasional class.

I wasn’t really interested in the typical freshman/sophomore activities on campus. I found myself crying frequently, big huge sobs (you know the ugly kind) with an unlimited supply of tears for the tiniest reason, and sometimes no reason at all. I remember one day my parents were at work and I didn’t go to class. I started crying in the hallway uncontrollably until I just slid down the wall and sat on the floor crying for a long time…about nothing. I felt very alone, despite having a close network of family and friends. This obviously caused problems in my relationship, which only added to my emotional distress.

I finally decided to see a counselor, he reviewed my case and said I was a busy successful young adult and that I shouldn’t be ashamed to cry every once in a while, that it was no big deal. I felt completely dismissed and pushed aside. Sure those things were nice to hear, but it didn’t make me feel any different. A few months later I met with the campus counselor. Luckily I connected with her and felt comfortable. I am quite sure I told her in my first session I was NOT interested in medication (I wasn’t someone who needed that…or so I thought #stigma). We talked ….A LOT and while I learned some things about myself I didn’t feel much better. She eventually recommended medication as she felt it would help me, I wasn’t sure about it.

I remember talking to a family friend who was a therapist. I asked him his thoughts on psychiatric medications and what he told his clients. I remember him saying, “Well if you broke your leg…would you take pain pills?” He explained not all medication is taken forever and it could be helpful and effective with little to no side effects. It was the broken leg and pain killer example that caused an epiphany for me, all of sudden it just made perfect sense. I saw my PCP with the recommendation from the campus counselor and started taking antidepressants.

I haven’t found myself in that dark place since, but the experience drives me to reduce stigma surrounding mental illness. I would have reached out sooner had it not been for my own beliefs and stigma surrounding mental health. It is nothing to be ashamed of, but stigma and lack of education surrounding the issues are, especially for those of us working in this field.

In 2015, Rose was facing a nine-millimeter. On the other end of that gun was her son.

He was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and wasn’t doing well. He told her, “She needed to leave and be gone!” Rose contacted Crisis Response Network; she knew from experience that they would assist her with a safe solution. She was terrified of what may escalate if police were involved. Rose was unable to explain the situation she was in.

The Crisis Specialist reviewed past records associated with Rose’s phone number and asked her yes or no questions to determine the risk and reason for her call. Rose informed the Crisis Specialist that her son was upset and wanted her to leave. The Specialist asked to speak with her son to arrange plans to, “take her away.” Due to this phrasing, Rose’s son was willing to speak with the Crisis Specialist.

“Crisis Response Network is like the National Guard, they mobilize immediately, they do not say ‘let me go pull his file’ or ‘I’m not sure how to help.'”

After confirming that Rose was in danger and facing a loaded weapon, Crisis Response Network dispatched a mobile crisis team and Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) trained officers to the home. The teams worked on the premise that they were there to take Rose away, to reduce the probability of escalating the situation.

Once the weapon was retrieved they were able to secure the home and speak with Rose and her son about the situation. Rose’s son was encouraged by the assistance they received and was hopeful that things could turn around and agreed to treatment.

Mobile team providers and police officers were crucial in saving Rose and her son; however she attributes their safety to Crisis Response Network (CRN).

“CRN pulled it all together. They coordinated care and kept me calm enough to handle the situation. We were in the perfect storm – CRN found the perfect match for that storm. I consider them the number I call before 9-1-1.”

Melissa is a Crisis Specialist who has been working on the Crisis Response Network crisis line since September 2014.

Melissa had been working with a caller that was frequently petitioned, and was not doing well. This woman would call nightly and make very dark statements that caused us to assess her as a very high acuity.

Melissa worked with this caller for weeks, and also coordinated with local mental health providers, police and CRN employees to express concern for this individual. We found out that the caller’s involuntary evaluation had been accepted (the caller had been petitioned more than 20 times), and is now feeling much better.

I truly believe Melissa’s persistence paid off and prevented a potentially negative outcome.