Michelle
Michelle came to GCB with charges of falsification, drug paraphernalia, driving without a license and unauthorized license plates. She had been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder but had never received community treatment. Her mania was so severe, she could not sit still or focus long enough to read a magazine article or watch a movie. She was homeless, involved in prostitution to support her drug habit, had no job, no income and had lost custody of her children. She said that she felt “out of control and worthless”. Her dream goal was to have a job and her own one-bedroom where her children would want to come visit. Michelle has exceeded her own dream. She now has an apartment in a nice area of town, no longer uses drugs or alcohol, and has regained custody of her daughter. She is working on her GED. She takes her medications, sees her psychiatrist regularly and has virtually no symptoms of the mania once so disabling. She has had no new legal charges and has served no additional jail time in the program. She has herself and a GCB diversion program called Mental Health Court (MHC) to thank. This program provides individuals with misdemeanor charges to be treated in a court-monitored, community-based mental health program versus incarceration. MHC has given Michelle hope and confidence in herself.

Art
Art's mental illness was the reason he had to leave his job as an attorney. He understood the stress associated with his mental illness kept him from success in his position. Art lacked the support he needed to achieve self-sufficiency. He needed a job and was concerned about meeting his financial obligations. In 2001, he began working with GCB's Supported Employment Program staff to identify his personal strengths and help him develop the skills he needed to choose, get and keep a new job. Art decided he wanted to work in a law firm environment, but not as an attorney. His placement specialist identified a law firm seeking a front-desk assistant with an understanding of the legal field. Art was a perfect fit and remains employed in the position today. Art has described his experience with GCB as “rewarding, resourceful and wonderful.” He loves his job and hopes to remain with the law firm until his retirement.

Jay
Jay has a diagnosis of Schizophrenia, paranoid type, and mild mental retardation with a long history of alcohol abuse. He was incarcerated for 20 years for an original offense of burglary and a parole violation. While incarcerated, he committed another crime and was convicted of voluntary manslaughter. Released after 20 years, Jay was picked up in Kentucky for parole violation. He had walked from Cincinnati to Kentucky, saying he was going to walk to Georgia to be with his family. The GCB forensic team (FACT) accepted Jay for services. There were difficult times. Jay refused medications, denied any symptoms of psychosis, and was kicked out of a halfway house. FACT finally found housing for Jay in a Single Room Occupancy (SRO). We visited him two times a day, seven days a week. Jay continued to have anger management issues but learned to control his temper and walk away from incidents. His goal was to get off parole and return to the South to be with family. FACT contacted Jay’s mother and arranged for housing and treatment services for Jay in Georgia. He completed his parole successfully and his family took him back with them to Georgia, just as he had always dreamed.

Walter
Walter was diagnosed with chronic paranoid schizophrenia. He had a history of substance abuse and legal problems. He also had a preoccupation with guns. His behavior was guarded and unpredictable and, with poor insight into his mental illness, he was non-compliant with the treatment and medication he was receiving. Walter was finishing a six-year stay on the forensic unit at Summit Behavioral Health Center (SBHC) and due for release. There was reluctance to discharge Walter into the community. The Transitional Support Specialists of GCB, a specialized team that coordinates and assists with client discharges into the community, intervened and oversaw Walter's transition back into society. He was discharged first to a Crisis Stabilization Center and later moved to his own “supported” apartment. Today, Walter receives daily medication education and support from GCB staff in his own apartment. He is 100% compliant with his treatment plan. He has maintained sobriety and become a high functioning individual who is calm, friendly and receptive to services and support. Walter has found hope and the chance for a new life.