A Teenager's Success Story
Jane* was a 16-year-old when she was referred to the SASS program last fall.
Due to her
parents ' inability to care for her, she was living in a foster home.
She had significant
responsibilities in the foster home - baby-sitting with younger children and
chores. Jane had very little contact
with peers and was becoming depressed. She cried often, was gaining weight, and
slept much of the day.
When caregivers believed she may need inpatient psychiatric services, SASS was
called. Staff deflected her from the
hospital, believing that outpatient services were most appropriate for her.
With the assistance of
SASS personnel she was linked to services at Transitions.
She saw our psychiatrist, who
ordered an anti-depressant. She also met weekly with a counselor to address her
feelings of insecurity and hopelessness. A
Transitions' staff member met weekly with Jane and worked with her to improve
self esteem and assertiveness. Over
a period of several
months a change was noticed - Jane took more interest in her appearance, she
became
more talkative, and even began to smile and laugh again.
Peer and family
relationships also improved. Jane
was able to maintain in foster care and a more
restrictive placement was not needed.
Today, Jane is no longer involved in our SASS
program. She continues taking
anti-depressant medications and participates in
occasional counseling sessions at a center closer to her home.
She recently wrote to
SASS staff. She told them that she
feels much better, that she recently obtained
employment, and that she was making plans to attend college in the near future.
*This is an actual story of a Transitions' consumer.
However, the name has been changed to protect the consumer's identity.
4409
Maine Street
