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Over 40,000 Americans die by suicide every year. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States.
It is the second leading cause of death for individuals ages 10-24. These numbers are disturbing but there is help out there!
PCMS case managers and care coordinators work with at-risk children and adolescents whose behavior related to their mental illness affects their daily functioning in school and at home. A “team support system” approach is implemented which assists the entire family unit as home situations may be impeding the child or teen’s ability to reach their goals. These types of interventions are key to helping these youths realize their value and that their life matters!

About a month ago, I had a client who was nine months pregnant and literally in labor when I met with her at her home to discuss a shut-off notice for her electricity that she had received in the mail. When I arrived at her home, she showed me the notice and it was for the upcoming Monday. It was Friday. Again, she was in labor. I had a plethora of appointments with other clients that day but understood that this was a truly urgent matter. I managed my time so that I was able to get her to community resources in between appointments while also making multiple phone calls to agencies requesting help. My client was also active in this day of critical thinking and problem solving, as there was a process to go through to request assistance so that she did not have to come home with her newborn baby to a house with no electricity. After a very long day full of TEAM WORK with myself and my client, we were able to keep her electricity in service. She went on to deliver her healthy baby later that weekend. I was proud of her effort during labor and since she has given birth, she has continued to show proactivity towards completing all of her goals with PCMS.

My job allows me the gift to walk in the shoes of my client.  I am able to see every picture of a person’s life.  I meet with families in their homes.  I can connect a Mom with a food pantry or with meal planning to encourage better nutrition in her home.  I can teach and encourage effective parenting techniques.  I can meet with the child in school to help support staff.  I can help someone assess their need for public assistance and then apply.  I can accompany someone to a public housing or Social Security interview.  This allows for better communication between everyone involved.  It truly does take a community and the more we all work together the greater we all will be.

“Our case manager has been such a great help to our family. She is quick to find us resources when needed. Through the school visits that she does, I am able to be in contact with what’s going on in my boys school day. This is a great hurdle to have overcome. When we are having transportation issues, she helps us to get to our appointments.  She is an amazing person with a great positive personality that is contagious. Our family loves working with her. We thank Potomac Case Management for offering all of the services that they do. Our family is truly grateful.”