Changing the Trajectory of Someone’s Life

“All of a sudden, I could tell. I know when he isn’t himself,” says Angie W. about her younger brother. “He wanted to stay home. He stopped coming to family outings and to his cousin’s ball games. He would talk to himself and about himself in the third-person,” Angie adds.

While her brother had been managing his previously diagnosed schizophrenia well—attending college out-of-state, taking his medications, being active in relationships with family—the loss of a close family member seemed to be a turning point in his mental health. When he was admitted to a short-term inpatient facility for self-harming, his family knew it was time to do more.

“You never know what could happen. I wanted him to be able to live without falling into depression. My goal was getting him some serious help without waiting for something to happen,” says Angie.

Her brother began treatment at Skyland Trail. After hard work individually and as a family, and a change to a more manageable medication schedule, he graduated from Skyland Trail after completing four months of treatment. His stay at Skyland Trail was made possible through financial aid donations, which covered 100% of his family’s remaining out-of-pocket costs after insurance.

“It’s a blessing,” says Nita W, his mother. “I had been praying for that door to open up, and it was nothing but God that led us in this direction. Not everyone is in a financial situation where they can afford treatment, but that doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t get the help they need. Everyone should have the opportunity.”

Since graduating from Skyland Trail, their brother and son has begun to take more responsibility for his recovery and independence, whether it’s getting to work, paying bills, or adhering to his medication schedule. The family, touched by the generosity of Skyland Trail donors and the compassionate staff that helped their son and brother, has begun to be more open about mental health not only with their family but with others in their community.

“It’s important that you share your story because you never know what someone else may be going through,” says Angie. “You’re letting people know that it’s okay, and that they can seek help and get the assistance they may need.”

“I’m thankful and grateful every day,” says Nita. “We saw where he was prior, and we see where he’s at now. It’s truly changing the trajectory of someone’s life, and it’s brought us closer together as a family” adds Nita.