What Our Clients Would Like The Rest Of Us To Know…

Our clients’ responses when asked: What would you like the general public to know about you and/or mental illness?

    Mentally ill people are funny, generous, kind, and creative. We can be successful in life.

    Mental illness affects all groups of people- old, young, rich, poor, intelligent, challenged, men, and women.

    Mentally ill people would like to have the freedom to live in their own apartment without worrying about having it taken away because of their illness.

    We are non-threatening, non-contagious, and not so uncommon.

    I would like people to know that mental illness is not mental retardation.

    With treatment, it is possible to lead a happy and productive life with mental illness.

    The mentally ill are your neighbors and family.

    Everyone has their flaws. Mentally ill people just have more difficult flaws to overcome. We did nothing wrong to deserve our mental illness. Like a broken leg, minds with the proper medication can be healed too, almost back to normal.

    My mental illness is not me. I try hard every day to conquer it.

    I still enjoy beautiful sunsets, even though I have a mental illness.

    Mental illness is a brain disorder, not a character flaw.

    Mental illness is not contagious or dangerous. It is frightening, depressing, and lonely.

Our Favorite Quotes From Clients and

Their Families

“The Money Management class has helped me to not be an impulsive spender – which I have been most of my life. Now when I go into a store, I don’t just buy anything I see that I want. I have a budget that I follow for the first time in my life.”

“The Lakeview program is exceptional for those who need life and socialization skills and guidance to maintain their own living skills.  This program is very important and has great purpose.  Thanks for all you do to help our family member live such a happy and productive life.”

“Life can sure have it’s ups and downs but I believe with the right support groups life will be sunny and bright again.”

“I never thought I would be well enough to go on a Lakeview trip. I guess you could say I have been preparing the last 10 years to go on this trip – (the whole time I’ve been at Wasatch Mental Health). For several years, I really wanted to go to Lakeview, but I was afraid. My therapist kept telling me to go, but I’ve been afraid of people all my life. When I went to my support groups at Adult Outpatient, I would get jealous when I heard other people saying they went to Lakeview. I especially got jealous when I heard them talking about the trips. A lot of people tried to get me to go to Lakeview but I never went. One day when my therapist suggested I go to Lakeview, I just decided I would do it. I used to get very, very nervous about being around people. I still do, but not as much. When I started at Lakeview, I realized there was a lot I could learn from the classes to help me. I started preparing hard for the trip a few months before we left. I tried to talk more with people I didn’t know. That was really hard but it helped me. When we started driving at the beginning of the trip, I was so happy I just started laughing because I couldn’t believe I was finally going. I felt very proud of myself for being so brave. On the trip, I loved being around people. I learned that I should trust myself more, and I should believe staff when they tell me that I have what it takes to live a better life. I never felt better about myself than when I was on the trip. I think right now I am doing the best that I have ever done in my whole life.”

“Sometimes with depression you don’t know where life’s taking you but the next curve on your journey could be the sunshine and happiness.”

“Our son would be totally lost without Lakeview. It is essential to his daily success and life skills success. Thank you so much. There is no way we could handle mental illness without your help.”

“If it were not for your program, our sister would have no outlet for socialization, no purpose for her life.  We are so grateful for this program.”

“I want to thank you all for what you have done for my son. I have never seen him do so well for so long, and I believe he will continue to do well. I think it has a lot to do with what you do for him at Lakeview. I feel obligated to let you know that you saved his life and possibly mine. Through your classes, my son has learned skills that have changed his life. The changes he has made have positively affected the relationship that he and I have. Words cannot express my gratitude to your mental health program. As long as he has a counselor to talk with, and a doctor to prescribe and/or change his meds, as well as knowing he has the moral support from Lakeview and your staff, he will make it.”

“Friends make depression a whole lot better.”

“Lakeview teaches us about illnesses and that helps to deal with it better. I used to be depressed and cry a lot, but I don’t cry near as much anymore. Since coming to Lakeview, I am doing much better. The people are nice; they won’t hurt you. I’m not afraid; they respect you.”

“My sister is more positive and is looking forward to the activities. She feels comfortable with her new friends.”

“For the past nine months, I’ve worked harder than I ever have in my whole life. There was a long time that my physical and mental health was so bad that doctors, including me, thought I was going to die soon. I lived in a nursing home for four years, until nine months ago when I moved into my own apartment. I never thought that would happen. The staff at Lakeview gave me the motivation and taught me skills to help me live independently for the first time in my life. The cooking class and the “shape up” class has probably helped me the most. I’ve lost fifty pounds. Knowing that I was going on the Lakeview trip gave me motivation to work even harder to make my life better. I used the trip as a goal. For a long time, I couldn’t even walk a few steps without feeling like I was going to collapse. When we were on the trip I did several small hikes, even a portion of a longer hike. The staff told me the portion I did on that hike was almost one mile round trip. I couldn’t believe it, I felt so good. And to think that I used to have to use a walker to get around. I loved being able to walk around and see the beautiful rock formations and ruins. Without the trip and without my hard work, I would never have been able to see these things.”

“Lakeview has saved my son’s life and enriched it! I would like to thank Lakeview and Wasatch M. H. for their concern and care of my son. He has shared much of what he has learned with me. He has enjoyed many classes and has learned and experienced a wide variety of opportunities. He has gained self-confidence, self-reliance, and self-motivation. Thank you so much!”

“We have seen great stabilization of our family member as a result of the love and sense of security provided by your exemplary staff. Mental health problems are finally being allowed to come out to the light of day where healing and support can finally be provided. Keep up your inspiring work.”

“We appreciate all you do for our brother. The classes he takes help him be more independent. He loves the excursions in the community and tells us all about them. This helps give him more meaning to life. Lakeview creates a wonderful environment that helps each person feel normal, not like they are different from everyone else.  Bless you all!”

“We feel our daughter has improved a lot. She seems happy and better able to handle her own life. There is less depression.”