Two parents outlined their experience navigating the mental health system during CASA Mental Health’s Annual General Meeting 2024 on Sept. 25.
Currently a member of CASA’s Youth and Family Advisory Council (YFAC), Jill’s journey with the organization has spanned nearly a decade. Two of her three children are accessing CASA services. Her middle child, diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Borderline Personality Disorder, first brought the family to CASA.
“When we were in school, by Grade 2 we knew things were seriously wrong. I hadn’t heard of CASA before… It was a gift that I found out about them.”
Melissa is another member of YFAC. Her daughter has multiple diagnoses including ADHD, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and Oppositional Defiant Disorder.
“I’m honestly not sure how we ended up at CASA. I think that the school put in a referral, and so we got the call, and she was put into what now is the Core program, and then the TAG (Trauma and Attachment Group) program,” said Melissa.
“There’s a lot of missing pieces from that time, because she would rage for up to eight hours a day, and we as parents now do have complex PTSD from that time.”
Getting help hasn’t been easy. Jill said her family has gone through public and private services, trying to get help for her children.
Both Jill and Melissa note that when families come to CASA they are in a state of crisis, and communication and listening is key, as they might not know exactly what they are walking into on day one.
“My biggest piece, really, is just more communication to families as we come in, and different routes to that information as well, possibly presented in different ways at different times,” Jill said.
For Jill, what changed their lives was CASA House.
She said the four months in the program took a “shell of a child” and “did a reset.”
Now, her child is in Grade 12 and “thriving in so many ways.”
“They are vibrant, they are confident and they know the words to say when they are struggling. They know when to ask, and they, for the most part, know who to ask,” said Jill.
While accessing other services during the pandemic, Melissa realized it wasn’t working for her daughter. So, she pulled out resources she received from CASA’s TAG program and made changes.
“I truly believe what we learned at CASA saved her, brought her back to us,” she said. “When our little guys started having trouble, the first place I looked to was CASA.”
She has also referred other parents to CASA for help.
“I am seeing the changes that are happening here. This CASA growth is so instrumental in saving so many children and so many families.”
Melissa said her daughter is now 16 years old and doing “amazing.”
“You wouldn’t recognize the child that she has become,” said Melissa. “She’s so introspective, and she has learned so much in her journey.”
According to Melissa, their children would not be where they are today without CASA.
“I fully believe that a lot of our system is broken, and CASA is on the path to fix it and model that fix for so many others, not just in our province, but across our country.”
