Joan, an FSA Peer Advocate, listened to Mary's scared and confused voice on the other end of the telephone. Her daughter had just been hospitalized for attempting suicide and Mary didn't know what to do or how to emotionally handle the situation. Joan was a great listener - she helped Mary sort through her feelings, helped her understand the mental health system and worked with Mary to create a plan for getting her daughter the help she so desperately needed. Joan continued to be a tremendous source of support and knowledge as Mary and her daughter learned about mental health issues and treatment. In addition, Mary decided to join FSA's Common Sense parenting support group to build upon her parenting skills. Today, Mary and her daughter are both doing well and Mary is planning to volunteer as a Peer Advocate in order to pass on the hope and inspiration she received from Joan.
