| "Joseph" was removed from his biological family | | | | Although Joseph has suffered some set-backs, he |
| at age 5 after claims of abuse against him were | | | | is currently managing his depression successfully. |
| substantiated. He was adopted a short time later, | | | | His supporters have even been able to advocate |
| but his recovery was only temporary. | | | | for monthly check-ins at an area mental health |
| Unfortunately, Joseph suffered the loss of his | | | | clinic to ensure that Joseph's medication is |
| adoptive mother at age 11. Life continued to be | | | | appropriate and effective and plans include his |
| difficult for Joseph as he had many behavioral | | | | transition from the treatment home to an |
| health issues as a child. Eventually, he ended up | | | | Independent Living Program. |
| getting into trouble with the law. | | | | Joseph is currently attending a local technical |
| Joseph spent several years living in mental illness | | | | college where he is learning the necessary skills to |
| treatment homes that tried to help him deal with | | | | become an auto mechanic. He continues to |
| his severe depression. Eventually he began making | | | | maintain positive relationships with his father and |
| great strides to improve his behavior and even | | | | his parents at the mental illness treatment home. |
| recovered his relationship with his father. Joseph | | | | Community mental health organizations provide |
| remained in the treatment home until he was able | | | | care for mental illnesses, such as depression, all |
| to complete high school. He received several | | | | across the U.S. Others who suffer from severe |
| awards at his high school graduation, including | | | | depression should take Joseph's story as a sign of |
| Student of the Year, the Citizenship award and | | | | hope. |
| Most Improved Academics. | | | | |