For our families, their decision or need for Shodair often encompasses a crisis. Many of our families do not know how to navigate the mental health care system and/or do not have the capacity to do so in their time of crisis. Shodair recognizes this and that is why we have Patient Care Coordinators who can meet with the patient and families, identify their needs with the help of the treatment team, and then find community solutions to continue the care of the patient in the least restrictive environment. As for traditional Case Management, once we can begin this service, it will be one of the sources of support for the patients and their families. Whether it’s assuring that the client’s outpatient appointments are kept or working on the important skills identified in therapy, Case Management can be adapted to the client’s need to support the client’s success on an outpatient basis. As the Manager of Targeted Case Management, I help to navigate both of these arenas.

I think that there is a large oversight in healthcare, especially mental health. How one feels about themselves promotes what they do. I don’t care what position someone has, they are not going to be able to do it well without first feeling well about themselves. I work in children’s mental health because I cannot think of a more vulnerable population at risk of self-harm or potentially being harmed by others. I hope to be a conduit of safety within my position for the kids and families we serve.

We had a patient who was going to discharge upon turning 18 and didn’t have a home or family to return to. As such, the patient was going to be placed in a homeless shelter. I, nor anyone else at Shodair, including the patient, were okay with this option – it didn’t sit well with any of us to spend so much time supporting this youth to have a purpose to live, only to turn around and say, “you’re too old, find your own way.” After racking and stacking the obstacles, we were able to find an amazing solution for our patient that included housing and a job. Working as a team, everyone came together and contributed to helping locate resources, aftercare, and setting the patient up for overall success as they transitioned into adulthood. I say “we” and “everyone” because I would not have been able to find these resources without the support of the whole Shodair team. I don’t think there is one person who works here that did not contribute in some way. Specifically with this patient, I am honored to be a small part of their success. Shodair provided me an opportunity to show my skillset to help our discharging patient show theirs. Nothing is better than that!

The interpersonal connection. The Sanctuary model that Shodair has adopted transcends any position a person may have here. Whether you are a patient or an employee, everyone’s wellbeing is truly cared about and considered in decisions that are made. Trusting that Shodair values each individual’s wellbeing is a fact that I know is truly felt by all of our patients and staff. I feel honored to work here; and to show my appreciation, I strive to do my best to make others feel the same way and to promote the Shodair mission. Simply put, if I didn’t already work here, I’d want to work here. I would also seek Shodair inpatient or outpatient services for my own kids, if needed.

I think it is incredibly brave of a child and their family to be here and to get help. Being a child makes you innately vulnerable, and a child struggling with their mental health enhances that vulnerability. Shodair embraces the child’s individualized needs and creates a treatment plan to account for each patient’s unique challenges. Shodair has multiple professionals, all with a wide area of expertise, who work collaboratively with our patients to help them overcome their vulnerabilities – teaching kids and their families how to first understand their mental health needs and then encouraging them to practice new ways of thinking, communicating, and reacting to life’s obstacles. This is hard work for kids (and adults). Fortunately, a hospital like Shodair exists for children to learn skills so they can safely process and navigate their mental health when they return home.