hope... bringing to those struggling with mental illness

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Morris Porter
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1 Mosaic Community Services transforms lives through comprehensive health services for people with mental illness and addictions. bringing hope... to those struggling with mental illness

2 For individuals living with a serious mental illness or addiction problem, sustaining hope for a better life is essential. At Mosaic, we work hard to foster that hope. Our clients know that creating a more fulfilling life isn t easy, and that sometimes they can t do it all on their own. But that s okay. The stories that follow are from Mosaic clients and staff whose hopes for a better life were realized. We ve also included a story from someone who didn t give up hope that people can recover, despite his own personal loss. Someday there will be cures for mental illnesses and addictions. But until then, we will do our very best to keep our clients hopes for recovery very much alive. Founded in 1984, Mosaic Community Services is the largest community-based behavioral health service provider in Maryland serving thousands of children, adolescents and adults annually at ten sites located throughout the Baltimore Metropolitan Area. Mosaic s 19 programs include therapy, addiction treatment, integrated health, supported housing, vocational services, residential programs, off-site counseling and more. For more information contact Mosaic s Development Office at x1113. Mosaic is a CARF-accredited non-profit (501-c-3) organization headquartered at 1925 Greenspring Drive, Timonium, MD. Mosaic is an affiliate of the Sheppard and Enoch Pratt Foundation.

Like many other young people, Pandora was diagnosed in her late teens with bi-polar disorder.

3 You ve Just Gotta Have Hope Pandora I would like to go to college. My dream job would be to become a therapist. A recent conversation with Pandora, a Mosaic client, revealed that she has many goals that she would like to achieve, including getting married to her best friend, whom she met at Mosaic. Like many other young people, Pandora was diagnosed in her late teens with bi-polar disorder. She entered Mosaic s Transitional Age Youth (TAY) program at age 18 and lived with other young adults in apartments supervised by Mosaic staff. I really liked TAY. They pushed me to do what I needed to do. I graduated from high school while I was in TAY. Ethel I m bipolar. When I first came to Mosaic, I was off the chain, off the hook, wow-wow. I didn t have control over myself. I was fighting the help I was receiving. I wouldn t discuss my issues with the doctors and therapists. I held it all in. I was a cutter and a burner. I was totally dissociated. I was hurt so bad. I didn t know any other way to release the pain. My mind would go to a pleasant place, by myself. I would cut myself and burn myself, and I didn t realize it. Then, the two parts of myself would come together and I would realize I was hurt. By the grace of God, and thanks to Mosaic, I haven t cut myself in three years. Pandora has now aged-out of the TAY program but continues to live in Mosaic housing where she shares an apartment with two roommates. Three times a week she comes to a Mosaic daytime rehabilitation program in addition to her appointments with her therapist. Pandora is presently looking for a job and is very optimistic about finding employment. Pandora loves to dance, write poetry, and spend time on a computer. Most of all, I m looking forward to getting married and living with my husband in a place of our own, says Pandora. I think I m ready for freedom. You ve just gotta have hope. I am an addict also, so I have double trouble. I don t claim mental illness anymore. I am better by the grace of God and the good people at Mosaic. Drug addiction problems and mental health you can t do one without the other. When my depression improved, I was still addicted. I am 13 years clean. I had to work hard for that one-onone and in group. I m in the addiction program we went through some deep things we cry, we laugh, we hug. Now I am volunteering. I will be able to cook, clean, and develop life skills. I achieved these goals and gathered in my journey, and it was sealed in by Mosaic. mosaicinc.org

Robert Robert never outgrew his love for comic books. As an adult, he turned his passion for collecting them into a career when he opened a vintage comic book store in Georgetown.

4 Robert Robert never outgrew his love for comic books. As an adult, he turned his passion for collecting them into a career when he opened a vintage comic book store in Georgetown. Robert s dream job came to a crashing end, however, when, at just 31 years of age, he had to close his store. His schizophrenia had taken its toll. Robert could no longer manage his business and deal with his symptoms. He moved back to Baltimore. Robert is a college graduate, with a degree in mass communications. He has strong computer skills, once working as a computer operator at a bank. He remains very interested in politics and votes in every election. He loves to visit museums and is one of the first to sign up when trips are planned. Robert came to Mosaic in His living skills had deteriorated, and in many ways he was starting all over again. In addition to therapy provided by Mosaic clinicians, Robert was also given the opportunity to enroll in several Mosaic programs and live in Mosaic supported housing. Slowly, but surely, his life began to change for the better. With his pet cat Gerry sitting close by, Robert taught himself to cook. He regained his financial skills, learning how to budget and use banking services. In fact, he is now holding down a part-time job. Having schizophrenia had changed Robert s life; but, he was determined that it would not ruin it. Robert s determination has taken him a long way on the road to recovery. If you are a comic book fan, or enjoy collecting baseball cards, you may run into Robert one day at one of the many flea markets he often attends. Who knows? He may be selling just what you are looking for. Ellen I needed therapy to help me deal with depression and chronic pain. My case manager and therapist [at Mosaic] worked until I could see a doctor at Hopkins. It turns out I have fibromyalgia. I was in the Community Rehabilitation Program and at first I didn t know how I would fit in. Slowly, I learned about my symptoms and how to manage my medication. It is really helping. I went from someone who was not getting up and doing anything to now, I know how to cope with my illness. I have hobbies, including making jewelry. I hope to develop my own business selling jewelry and my own artwork. Before treatment, I had stopped drawing. Depression had stolen my youth. Now I am doing drawings, costume design, keeping busy. I make sure I am doing something now I am working on knitting socks. In the past, depression would come back, and I was feeling worthless and no hope. Now I have a whole new attitude. I need to keep focused on helping me live and enjoy life. If I find myself slacking off, I tell myself, Ellen, there are things you can do. I ve learned those skills that turn things around. Marty I was hospitalized in my senior year of high school, and I had a lot of setbacks and difficult times. I came to Mosaic with severe depression and I was suicidal. My days were without hope I was in the corner every day. My depression finally lifted, and I could see my future. I had some hope and I could see light at the end of the tunnel. Staff have been there for me. My family and girlfriend have also been supportive. In the past, I was off my medication, and I was off kilter. Now, I recognize that and can avoid being hospitalized. Mosaic has been awesome. People have been supportive and encouraging. Life is really rewarding. I have hobbies that keep me going. All the people at Mosaic help me see the big picture. It gives me hope to be a success story. I am not working now, but I am doing other things. Staff have been there for me, taking me to the dreaded dentist for a root canal. I am an individual who feels a stigma attached, and who likes to be treated, respected and accepted for what I am and who I am, and not what I have. Rebecca I came to Mosaic after I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and PTSD. In the Mosaic day program, I learned about my illness and worked on problemsolving. I saw a psychiatrist regularly, and I also got vocational skills. The staff helps you find and successfully hold a job. Mosaic has made such a difference in my life. It s not just a good month or week or a good year. Mosaic is creating a foundation for me that will last a lifetime. MOSAIC COMMUNITY SERVICES

Some of us have walked the same paths as the clients we serve, overcoming depression and addictions. In many ways this makes us better at what we do.

5 We ve Walked In Their Shoes Those of us who work and volunteer at Mosaic are not exempt from the impact of mental illness and substance use. We have family members and friends whose illnesses have affected not only their lives, but ours as well. Some of us have walked the same paths as the clients we serve, overcoming depression and addictions. In many ways this makes us better at what we do. Our perspective is different; we aren t looking for someone to blame. We work towards recovery, yet know that sometimes the people we serve will stumble along the way. Our job is to offer hope to our clients that their lives can be better. Endless Possibilities At the age of 14 years old I got pregnant, had an abortion, started using drugs and getting in trouble. I continued to go to school and obtained a high school diploma; however, after completing high school, I did not do anything else but use drugs and hang on the corners selling drugs in order to support my habit. I was eventually arrested and sentenced to 5 years in prison. When I was released, I married another practicing addict, had a nervous breakdown, lost my job, and was homeless living on the streets of Baltimore. It was at this point that I came to believe that my life had to seriously change if I did not want to return to active addiction. I started going to self help meetings, obtained a sponsor and began to incorporate the spiritual principles of the 12 Steps in my life. Since I made the decision NO MATTER WHAT, I WILL NOT USE, my life has been better. While on the journey to recovery my husband and other family members died and I lost some jobs, but I have not used any mind or mood altering substance to change how I was feeling! I returned to school and was on the Dean s list in my senior year at a local university where I majored in psychology. There is no limit to how high I can go in my recovery if I don t look down. Remembering my life in active addiction gives me daily motivation to continue to pursue my dreams in recovery. My possibilities are limitless! A MOSAIC STAFF MEMBER mosaicinc.org

6 We Can Make A Difference Like many Mosaic volunteers and staff, my family was deeply affected by the repercussions of a mental illness. My daughter Sara was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder at a young age. The years following were filled with medications, therapy, and hospitalizations. Many helpful resources were available during Sara s high school years and a good transition plan was in place when she graduated; even so, her transition into the adult world brought challenge after challenge. Although Sara s mental health showed signs of improvement she took her own life at age 23. Sara s needs for therapy, medication management and attention to somatic health issues, vocational rehabilitation, socialization, and integration into community are typical of many who are coping day to day with major mental illness. Mosaic Community Services is an organization striving to meet these needs for a stigmatized and often vulnerable population. I am privileged and honored to serve alongside of, and in support of, the staff, volunteers, and board members of Mosaic. We are a group whose hearts and minds are dedicated to helping those with mental illness and behavioral health disorders recover and live satisfying and fulfilling lives. Together, we can make a difference. DONALD HOHNE President Mosaic Board of Trustees The Role of Art in Recovery Art classes are one of the favorite activities of many Mosaic clients enrolled in our programs. It doesn t matter whether it s an original painting, a craft project, or even the joyful coloring of a pre-printed piece of paper; it s something of which they can be proud. All clients are invited to display what they have created at Mosaic s Annual Client Art Show where an appreciative audience has a chance to meet the artists and discuss their work. Art can be an important tool in the therapeutic process. It allows people who have difficulty expressing their emotions verbally to express them through imagery. According to the American Art Therapy Association, The creative process involved in the making of art is healing and life enhancing. Creating art can bring hope, purpose and identify to someone struggling with mental illness. At Mosaic, we couldn t agree more. MOSAIC COMMUNITY SERVICES

7 In 2010, an estimated 110,000 adults aged 18 or older living in the Baltimore area had some type of mental health problem. Over one-quarter had a serious mental illness such as a major depressive order, bi-polar disorder, or schizophrenia. Many were homeless. Many had turned to drugs and alcohol to relieve their symptoms. Over 8,000 of these individuals came to Mosaic for help. Will you help us continue to be here for them? Your donation to Mosaic will be used for counseling, medication, health care, housing, and vocational services. Your donation can offer hope. For more information on how you can help, please call our Development Office at or contact us on our website at mosaicinc.org

Programs and Services Behavioral Health Clinics provide psychiatric assessments, therapy, and medication management for children, youth and adults.

8 Programs and Services Behavioral Health Clinics provide psychiatric assessments, therapy, and medication management for children, youth and adults. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Programs help clients gain or regain independent living skills lost due to the effects of mental illness and/or long-term institutionalization. Adult Medical Day Program offers a community alternative to nursing home care for individuals who have mental and somatic (physical) health concerns. Integrated Health provides physical health assessments, treatment, and referrals to primary care physicians and specialists. Partners in Recovery offers intensive outpatient treatment and detoxification services for persons with addictions. Dual Diagnosis Program provides counseling and support services for individuals with both a mental health and substance abuse diagnosis. DSS Screening provides substance abuse screening and referral services by licensed staff in eight Baltimore City Department of Social Services offices. Therapeutic Residential Services provides a wide range of housing opportunities for persons with mental illness; staffing varies from drop-in support to 24-hour coverage. Residential Crisis Services offer a community-based alternative to inpatient hospitalization for individuals in acute psychiatric crisis or leaving inpatient care. Vocational Services provide an evidencedbased approach to helping clients identify and develop job skills and interests and assists them in securing and maintaining competitive employment. Targeted Case Management assists individuals in accessing mental health services, medical care, housing, education, training or employment, financial assistance and entitlements, and legal advocacy. Chesapeake Connections provides intensive wrap-around services to individuals with severe and persistent mental illness who have had lengthy and/ or numerous psychiatric hospitalizations. Mobile Treatment takes a multidisciplinary approach to providing mental health services to Baltimore City residents in their homes. Transitional Age Youth program provides counseling, housing, vocational, and case management services for young adults age 17 to 21. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Rehabilitation program provides in-home services to children and adolescents with emotional disorders and support and education to their families. Off-Site Counseling provides psychiatric evaluations, individual and family therapy, medication evaluation, and crisis intervention to children and families in their Baltimore City homes or schools. Get Connected links Carroll County families with resources needed for their children. facebook.com/mosaicservices twitter.com/mosaiccare Mosaic programs are located in Timonium, Towson, Catonsville, Dundalk, Baltimore City and Westminster.

Kaiser Telecare Program for Intensive Community Support Intensive Case Management Exclusively for Members within a Managed Care System

Kaiser Telecare Program for Intensive Community Support Intensive Case Management Exclusively for Members within a Managed Care System 12-Month Customer Report, January to December, 2007 We exist to help