NAMI York-Adams Counties PA

Our Family's Mental Health Journey

Our son Trevor, at the age of 15 began to withdraw from things that he once did with family and friends. He started missing school and his grades slid from A's and B's to C's D's. He was getting into trouble at school fighting, he was in jeopardy of not able to play in his sport as a student athlete due to grades. One night he was acting so unlike himself and we called 911. That night my husband and I learned about crisis and mental health. Our son was taken to the hospital, were he was evaluated. 

I remember the Doctor saying he needs to be admitted and will be staying on our behavioral health floor. As hours turned into days, our son was placed on medication and we were told he has bi-polar and is schizophrenic. He has been hearing voices for the past few months and they are telling him what to do.  I remember thinking how could I have missed this with my child! What kind of a mother am I not to have gotten him help before this, what happened to my perfect son!

Trevor has been in and out of facilities and refuses to take his medication, he has no job, steals money from us to buy drugs and both my husband live in fear for our safety because of things Trevor said he would do. We tried to get him help.

Trevor has been in jail for possession and currently lives on the streets. He only visits us when he needs money or a temporary place to stay. We allow him to come back, with a promise to begin seeing the doctor and take his medication. That promise is broken within hours and we discover he is using again,  we can't allow that in our home with younger siblings.

We didn't know what to do, we felt alone, and overwhelmed. A friend of mine said call NAMI they might be able to help. After sharing our story with them, they offered us hope. My husband and I enrolled in their Family To Family classes, and we attend their Family Support Group. Through these services, we didn't feel alone, we met others who are going through the same things we are going through. We learned about resources that we never knew about for us and Trevor!  I wish I knew about NAMI earlier. I encourage you to contact them and their services are free.   

York County Community Foundation and Memorial Health Fund Stretch Pools