Beginning Again

Alabama is a creative, kind, and free-spirited woman who spends her days with her canine companion, Ellie, polishing rocks she finds and crafting beautiful necklaces to sell at the Liberty Park Drum Circle. She lives with PTSD and suicidal ideation, along with a reluctance to seek care shaped by past medical trauma and the responsibility of being the sole caretaker for her son, who became disabled following open-heart surgery.

Alabama was in an abusive relationship and experienced domestic violence. She was later abandoned by her family and found herself completely alone, cut off from her son. The impact of these events worsened her mental health conditions and eventually led to homelessness. Feeling as though she lost her identity, Alabama reflects, “I’ve always been a mom – that’s what my whole life revolved around.”

Each of these challenges has deeply impacted Alabama’s ability to trust others – and to attend appointments at our downtown clinic. After building a relationship with her and establishing trust, her primary care provider, Maddy, now comes to her. “I probably wouldn’t be getting any help right now if people didn’t come out here,” Alabama shares.

A strong advocate for mental health and sobriety, Alabama has never used substances, but she has been failed by the medical system. “Every doctor I’ve spoken to about my mental health issues has only ever written me a prescription and has never done an evaluation,” she explains. Soon, Alabama will receive an assessment through an outreach visit with a behavioral health provider from Fourth Street Clinic – finally getting answers and the support she needs.

“I want people to remember me in a good place, and I want to get my soul back,” she says. With care that meets Alabama where she is, she has the chance to begin again.

Donate today to help us continue offering behavioral health support to the people who need it most – people like Alabama.