From Struggle to Strength

At just 14 years old, Saul found himself struggling with depression. His family found MiSide and enrolled Saul into Children, Youth, and Families’ services. 
 
Although he was getting the help he needed, things got worse before they got better. At the age of 15, Saul began abusing his prescription ADHD medication. It didn’t take long for him to be hooked, and he started taking whatever pills he could get his hands on.
 
“I really felt like I was just going to do drugs until I died.” 
 
When he turned 18, Saul was transferred to the Adult Outpatient services through MiHealth. There he found support for his substance use disorder. Once he had the support he needed, it took Saul one year to get sober.
 
“That year of trying to get sober… it was hard” 
 
When Saul began his services in Adult Outpatient, he worked with his case manager to explore goals he wanted to achieve in the upcoming year.  Saul determined that he wanted a job in order to gain more independence.  Saul was referred to the IPS-Supported Employment (IPS-SE) program, an evidenced-based practice designed to assist those with severe and persistent mental illness gain employment. Studies show that IPS-SE plays a key role in a person's recovery.
 
Saul's became actively engaged with IPS-SE, obtaining his first job as a line cook in a local restaurant. Saul set a higher goal for himself and within four months, landed a job as a student mentor in the nationally acclaimed City Year program where he continues to thrive.
 
Now Saul is 19 years-old and celebrating a full year of sobriety with the independence he’s always wanted. Thanks to the support he found at MiSide, Saul found what he needed in order to change his life. 
 
“[MiSide] gave me more hope.” 
 
It is because of the financial support of so many that he was able to access these services. Without you, Saul and multiple others like him would never get their chance to change the trajectory of their life. 
 
“Thank you for not giving up on me and always giving me hope.”