14-year-old Dorthy felt constantly on edge and couldn’t control her anger. “Life was confusing and I was always mad at everyone,” she says. “I did not know how to control my emotions and feelings.”

Dorthy was struggling in her relationships with her mother, father and younger brother, as well as at school. She sought help at her school’s Wellness Center and was referred to Community Solutions for more intensive care.

Thanks to your generous support, Dorthy received much-needed early mental health care, including in-home support and therapy. “Now that I have been seeing my therapist, life seems like I have control, and I am able to feel like I am able to share my thoughts and feelings,” she says.

At times, Dorthy struggled with peers at school and with her younger brother at home. “But with the support in weekly sessions, my therapist has reminded me of techniques taught in session to build more confidence in myself,” she says.

Dorthy found it helpful to receive in-home support so she could be coached on challenges in her home environment. She also liked that she could call her therapist for help anytime when a difficult situation arose.

Dorthy’s positive attitude now shines through as she expresses herself in healthy ways. Her hard work has led to remarkable improvements in her academics, and she is embarking on a new journey as she enters high school.

“Today, I am able to communicate with my parents much more effectively. Who would have thought this was possible less than a year ago?” she says with a grin.

Thank you for helping Dorthy and so many other teens like her develop the skills and supports they need to overcome early mental health challenges and thrive at home and school!