Our Stories
Michigan Youth Mental Health Stories
Here you will find just a few of the stories that illustrate how broken the Michigan Mental Health system is. These are true stories as related by the people who experienced them. Some stories have had names and other identifying information changed to protect the privacy of the children involved.
Many of these stories will be difficult to read. The lives being lived within these narratives are challenging. The common thread is the need for help. This is help that is promised by the government to be delivered by local agencies that either can’t or won’t provide the needed services.
We invite you to read through this collection with an open mind. Try to see yourself being faced with these challenges and roadblocks, often while trying to navigate a family crisis.
If you are a legislator, attorney or someone else with the power to change the system, we urge you to become familiar with these stories, as they are commonplace.
If you would like to learn more or maybe contribute a story of your own, please reach out to us.
10 Road Blocks to Mental Health Services in the State of Michigan
I am a parent of an 11-year-old son who has severe emotional impairment and behavioral problems. These are the roadblocks that I have encountered while fighting for mental health services in the State of Michigan: Communication. There is a major lack of effective...
The Only Way to Get Youth Mental Health Help For My Child Is To Make Him A Criminal
Lewis was born prematurely at 29 weeks and entered foster care with two older siblings shortly after being released from the NICU due to parental drug use and homelessness. He was adopted by his foster parents at 18 months and his siblings were adopted by another...
Private Insurer Priority Health Overrules Aliyah’s Mental Health Recommendations
Our story started in October 2020. Since then our thirteen-year-old daughter Aliyah has spent 344 days and counting in one form of hospital or another due to continuing suicidal ideation and self-harming behavior. When we first started this journey with our daughter,...
Serious Emotional Disturbance Takes A Toll on Everyone in the Family
Hello, my name is L M, married 21 years, raising 3 boys, 17, 13, 10. I’m here to share about my 13 year old son. He is diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; Oppositional Defiance Disorder; Reactive Attachment Disorder; pediatric Bi-Polar. Our days...
Lexi Struggles to Receive Home Based Support or Clinical Support for her Mental Health
Lexi is a 17 year old who struggles to be successful in the home, school, and community, due to barriers presented by her complex diagnoses of Autism Spectrum Disorder, Level 1, Major Depressive Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Gender Dysphoria. Lexi has...