Client story: ‘I found people who could help me’
Marta* experienced severe emotional and physical abuse as a child in Eastern Europe, a trajectory that continued into adulthood with her husband. The couple immigrated to the United States and had two children before divorcing after 19 years together. Marta learned English quickly and worked as a postpartum nursing assistant. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder, depression, PTSD, and anxiety, she was diligent about keeping up with her mental health care and medications.
As her children grew into adulthood, her daughter struggled with addiction and drifted in and out of Marta’s life. Her son, meanwhile, became her rock. As her primary support, they lived together so he could care for her, including when her mental illness brought her to the emergency department. When her visit resulted in a stay in the psychiatric unit, he was right by her side.
‘I became completely isolated’
In 2009, her son was tragically killed. Marta’s world collapsed. “My mental illness became worse and worse,” she says. “I stopped going to church. I became completely isolated.”
Her only joy during this dark time was work. “I took care of newborn babies,” she says, “Babies always helped me take away the bad feelings, even if it was hard for me to work.” She was also very close to her coworkers and considered them family.
Years later, during COVID, the hospital reassigned nursing assistants to cover shortages. While caring for a patient in another unit, Marta entered a room that triggered flashbacks of her son’s death. Her PTSD flared, and she struggled to return to work the next day. She considered calling in for the first time in nearly 30 years, but instead arrived 15 minutes late. Her new manager fired her on the spot. Coworkers advocated for her to stay, but their pleas went unanswered.
‘I just wanted to feel better’
“After losing my job, I didn’t have any money and didn’t know what to do,” she says. “I never had that problem. Since coming to America, I was always working.” Marta was alone, could not afford groceries or rent, and her mental health was in serious jeopardy.
“My psychiatrist gave me 15 minutes and talked about his children,” she says, and she knew her needs went beyond what such a limited session could address. “I just knew I wanted to feel better, and that, by myself, I could barely do that. So, I called 211, and they recommended me to LifeWorks NW.”
Marta says that when she first came to LifeWorks NW, she was in a very bad place. Her mental illness, without psychiatric care, was spiraling out of control. “I was severely depressed,” she says. “I didn’t want to see anybody; I didn’t want to talk to anybody.”
‘They really changed my life, completely’
At LifeWorks NW, Marta got a care team: a therapist, a psychiatrist, and a case worker. Marta has several health and mental health conditions. Her team helped her understand her medications and how to take them safely. She began working toward a goal to cut down her medications, with their supervision. She also made changes to better manage her diabetes and other health conditions.
Her case worker, Isaac, helped with urgent needs like food, rent, and utilities. He also leads wellness groups at LifeWorks NW, and Marta says the groups help because she can talk with people who understand. “My life has never really been happy,” she says. “If I am around happy people, happy marriages, it can be hard for me. But with the groups, we can talk about our problems, because we are not afraid we will be judged.”
Marta has also benefited from therapy. “Flavius, my therapist, is amazing,” she says. “He knows how to help people who really don’t want to talk about what’s going on.”
Today, Marta says she is doing better. ““I felt there was nothing good in my life until I found LifeWorks NW. My anxiety is so much better. I don’t have panic attacks anymore,” she says. “My depression is much better, too. Flavius taught me ways to cope. When I feel stuck, it helps a lot.”
“We need more places like this,” she says. “When I found LifeWorks NW, I felt hopeful again. I found people who could help me. They really changed my life, completely.”
*Not her real name
LifeWorks NW provides mental health, addiction, and prevention services across the lifespan. If you or a loved one is struggling with mental illness, we have a team of specialists who can help. Learn more about our programs by calling 503-645-9010 or by filling out our contact form.
