Testimonials

“When I first started at MHS, I was totally lost and didn’t know what to do. I was living at my mom’s and did nothing all day. I would sleep most of the day and didn’t even take care of my son. I knew I had to do something, so when I went to the welfare office I asked about the CalWORKs program. I joined the program and everyone was so nice and made me feel like, if I tried, I could get my life back together and be happy again. For the next year, I worked on myself and my counselor helped me with that. She was the one person I could come to knowing she wouldn’t judge me. I also went to groups and they helped so much. I got to meet some ladies that I will never forget. This went on for about a year and I learned so much about myself. I faced big challenges along the way, but it showed me how strong I really could be. I even went back to school with everyone’s encouragement...CalWORKs gave me the courage and strength to move on and have a wonderful life. I would recommend this program to whoever is lost and needs help finding themselves again. I will never forget everyone and MHS will always be in my heart. I am on my way, using all the tools I have learned through the program and am enjoying my life.” – CalWORKs Graduate

July 26, 2011 is very memorable date. It is the day Nikoo, my therapist, finished our 5 months of therapy sessions. This included family therapy with my 2 sons and personal therapy sessions.

To be honest, I did not think that therapy would work. Now looking back 5 months ago, the changes I see are amazing, especially in myself, and the influence it has had on my family. When I arrived at MHS, I was distrustful of everything, but little by little I watched how each person arrived with their problems and burdens and this made me feel at home. I could not find my place anywhere and MHS came to be my home, my place of refuge.

I could not find serenity when my husband was laid off from work; I began to work like crazy, working up to 12 hours a day. I would arrive at home after work overwhelmed and hungry. However, there were many times when I would prefer to sleep rather than eat. Then I got laid off from work and that made me become more desperate. I would spend my days locked up at home without being able to go out because of all the problems I has having.

We stopped paying our mortgage because we did not have any income, the car got repossessed, and to top it all off, my husband’s kidneys began to fail. All of this started to affect me and, at one point, I even thought of ending my own life, because I felt I could no longer deal with my husband’s alcohol problem.

There was no communication in my home. Everything was dealt with in a superficial manner. Family therapy taught me to understand each family member and what their expectations were for the family. There was a lot of hate in my family and it caused each of us to become isolated. My husband and I were on the verge of getting a divorce, but now we are able to communicate with one another. We are able to deal calmly with the problems and decide what is best for the entire family.

Not only did I find psychological help at MHS, but I also found a family and lots of love and compassion. Thank you MHS for all your help. Thank you Nikoo for your wisdom and patience; I pray that you are given lots of patience so that you do not get tired of hearing and helping people like me, who cannot find a way out from their problems. – CalWORKs Graduate
 

Client Graduation

"Graduation. So…now it’s time to say good bye to all the MHS family! You know it’s been about a year now and I believe I’ve gotten the most that I could get from attending here at MHS. From all the different types of groups to a summer field trip to the beach, (which was soooooo…much fun and exciting). I feel the support that I’ve received here at MHS has allowed me to move on with my life and accomplish many of the goals that I’ve set out to do. For example: I started going to school while attending here, I’ve finished the school program and I’m now awaiting my phlebotomy license, I’ve followed through with getting a divorce, last but not least I did receive a job, (not doing exactly what I really want to do but it’s at least a job for now)! While attending here I’ve also gained a few really good friends that I am still really close to till this day! Good-luck and stay positive!" -- CalWORKs Graduate