Perseverance key to client’s mental health journey

Terrence first came to the Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center when he was 10. He’s 32 now.

Not only has it been a 22-year journey in time, but it has also been a mental health journey.

And it hasn’t always been easy. He has had his share of bumps along the way.

But he has had plenty of successes as well.

“Bert Nash has been very good for me,” said Terrence, who is part of the Eastern Shoshone Tribe. “It really does help.”

One of those who has helped Terrence is Bert Nash Center case manager Mindy Downs. They have been working together for the past three years.

“She met me at a really rough time,” Terrence said. “But she helps me get things done. She asks a lot of questions.”

“We’re really big on accountability,” Mindy said, casting a knowing glance at Terrence. “There’s A LOT of accountability,” he said.

Terrence, who grew up in Lawrence, said he started coming to Bert Nash because “they thought there was something a little different about me in school.”

“I was angry at times; I would get into trouble,” he said.

The summer after he graduated from high school, Terrence got into serious trouble. He vandalized a local business and was put on a probation.

“I was using anything I could get my hands on drug-wise at the time,” he said. “I was pretty messed up.”

Because of his record, Terrence had trouble finding full-time employment. He worked odd jobs when he could. But he was drinking a lot.

“Things were pretty rough,” he said. “If I could stay blacked out drunk, it was good.”

Things were up and down for several years. There were times when he was doing better, not drinking as much, not getting into trouble. But there were bad times when his life would spiral out of control.

Through it all, he continued to come to the Bert Nash Center, participating in individual and group therapy sessions.

“The groups are very important,” Terrence said. “It’s helpful to talk to other people.”

After about a five-year stretch of alcohol abuse, things started looking up. But just as Terrence was getting his life back on track, there was a pandemic.

“He started his sobriety journey pre-COVID, and then COVID hit, and a lot of his supports went away,” Mindy said.

“That whole year and a half was a huge challenge,” Terrence said. “It was pretty rough for everybody. Aside from mental illness and addictions, and then you have a pandemic, wow.”

“But he’s done it,” Mindy said. “It’s not been easy. He’s struggled at times.”

Terrence lost people he cared about during the pandemic, from overdoses as well as the coronavirus.

Also, during the pandemic, Terrence was going through the Douglas County Behavioral Health Court, though meetings were held virtually. The program connects participants who have a serious mental illness with community supports, including case managers like Mindy.

“They really give you a chance to change yourself,” Terrence said of the Behavioral Health Court.

Because of COVID restrictions, Mindy and Terrence would go for walks so they could talk and stay connected throughout the process.

If he struggled, Terrence would get back up and keep going. And Mindy would be there encouraging him all along the way and holding him accountable.

“He has the world ahead of him; he has hope,” Mindy said. “He’s a hero.”