CICS in the Real World

The Story of Rose

We are a family who have been involved with NAMI for a very long time. NAMI Family-to-Family classes have helped us understand our son's severe mental illness, and many people at NAMI Central Iowa walked with us through the traumas we experienced.

Last week we had a different family member, who was feeling suicidal, tell us she needed to go to the hospital.  Rose* has dealt with her mental illness for several years, is med-compliant and has been through a number of programs in our area and in our NAMI Wellness Center to help her with coping skills and making a crisis plan.  We took her to the emergency department at our hospital that evening.

Her diagnosis is bipolar disorder with psychotic features, and her provider needs to keep a close watch on her lithium levels. If it’s too low, she is more susceptible to becoming manic; that’s when a cruel and relentless "voice" enters her mind and torments her.

This day, the "voice" was trying to convince her how easy it would be to commit suicide. It was becoming very difficult for Rose to bear the pressure of this, especially because she was home alone. She was feeling hopeless and suicidal.

We are glad she chose to ask for help. A very wise psych nurse asked Rose if she thought she should be admitted. This acknowledged that she knew her illness and her limits, and gave her respect that is seldom seen. The hospital did admit her and kept her safe.

We've also been able to access the Hope Wellness Center in Woodward, who CICS has contracted with. Rose has been helped two previous times with a crisis by being able to stay at their crisis stabilization center for a few days. She wasn’t suicidal at those times, and this place was a perfect solution for getting the help she needed.

We're so thankful for the choices that are available to our family members. NAMI-CI helps with support and education to work on their recovery, and the safety net of a crisis stabilization center gives us peace when their illnesses are too difficult to handle at home.

If you’d like more information on the resources offered by NAMI Central Iowa, click here.

*Name has been changed at client’s request.

Provider Profile

Optimae

Optimae LifeServices, Inc. provides health care and human services for individuals with disabilities and mental illness in 36 southeastern and central Iowa counties. For nearly three decades, Optimae has equipped customers with supports and services that encourage choice, empowerment and community integration.

Optimae’s programs include community-based, behavioral health, home health and residential care services. The group advocates for the rights and needs of approximately 3,900 Iowans each year, providing the quality of care they would want for their own families.

Learn more about Optimae here.