Who We Help
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Jill
"Jill" is a 20-year-old woman who attended Zumbro Valley Mental Health Center’s Residential Treatment program. She was referred to Residential Treatment by her social worker after two recent mental health-related hospitalizations. Jill was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia one year earlier. Her symptoms included fear of strangers, decreased concentration and delusions that people were looking in her room and poisoning her food. Even while in the hospital, Jill would not eat food in the hospital unless her mother prepared it and brought it in.
With encouragement from her family and patient staff, Jill gradually became accustomed to the treatment régime at Residential Treatment. She made friends and learned about her illness. She set her own goals, received counseling each week, attended groups that addressed her needs and continued to see her psychiatrist and therapist in the community. Her comfort zone with food increased and she began to socialize with people outside of her immediate family.
Jill acquired coping skills to help manage her symptoms, set realistic goals for discharge and completed the program within 90 days. She returned to her parental home with the goal of returning to school in the fall. She also left treatment with a volunteer job and planned to attend outpatient independent living skills groups offered by Zumbro Valley Mental Health Center Day Programs.
To protect individuals’
privacy, real names and
pictures were not used
Lee
"Lee" immigrated to the United States in 1981 from Laos. He had served as a CIA soldier in Laos and came with other refugees to the United States, settling in Rochester. Relocating posed many challenges to Lee and his family. They accepted public assistance and began learning English through English as a Second Language classes.
Lee became involved with the Supported Employment Program at Zumbro Valley Mental Health Center. His goal was to pursue full-time employment. Shortly thereafter, he obtained employment as a laundry worker at a local business. Lee continues to work in that position and enjoys working with others, stating that he has "a good boss and works with good people."
Just one year after obtaining employment, Lee was able to discontinue his public assistance and became financially self-sufficient. Lee strove for financial self-sufficiency so he could support his family and send money to the rest of his family in Laos.