May '19: A Special Issue on Mental Health by Cabarrus Magazine

Cabarrus M AG A ZINE

MAY 2019

@cabarrusmag

CURRENT CUTTING EDGE CONNECTED

n o e u s s I Special Climbing Out of the Darkness Mental Health and the Homeless Connection Just Keep Fighting: Navigating the System for Kids with Mental Illness

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Publisher’s Notes

Cabarrus MAGAZINE

May 2019 Volume 19 | Issue 5 President Pam Tolen Publisher Jason Huddle Advertising Kimberly Brouillette Jason Huddle Hillary Nicholson Design SPARK Publications Contributing Writers Jason Huddle Pamilla Tolen Emily Evans Contributing Photographers Michael A. Anderson, Kelsey Brouillette, City of Concord, Deborah Long, City of Kannapolis, Concord Downtown Development Corp. Cabarrus Magazine is published by: Cab•Co Media Group 296 Church Street N., Hidden Plaza Concord, NC 28025 For editorial inquiries, call 704-782-2353 or email them to Jhuddle@cabcomedia.com. For advertising inquiries, call Kimberly Brouillette at 704-305-7599, or Hillary Nicholson at 704-960-7096. Visit us at www.cabarrusmagazine.com. All rights reserved. ©2019, Comfort Publishing Inc., 296 Church Street N., Concord, NC 28025. Reproduction, in whole or in part, without permission is prohibited. Products named in these pages are trademarks of their respective companies. The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of Cabarrus Magazine or Comfort Publishing Inc.

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Word on the Street I’m going to warn you. This issue is very different from anything we have ever done in over 18 years of publishing this magazine. It’s personal. Very personal. Typically, most of our articles are very positive and there’s nothing wrong with that. But, every once in a while, there comes a time where you need to take a step back from the norm and bring light to a subject that doesn’t get a lot of publicity. May is national Mental Health Awareness Month and we thought this would be the perfect time to talk about a subject many would rather not. I’ll be honest. I was one of those. It’s not that I don’t care about those struggling with mental disorders – far from it. But I didn’t see this magazine as the proper conduit to discuss the subject. That all ended on October 28, 2018. That was the night my niece, the daughter of my sister who also works for CabCo Media Group, decided to take her own life after a long battle with mental illness. She was three days away from turning 19. We decided almost immediately that we would dedicate an issue this year to her and to those struggling with these conditions. We want to bring light to the fact you probably know someone who is battling some form of mental disorder. We want to tell people how they can get help. When it comes to minors, it’s even more difficult to navigate the system and we will explore how to do that as well. No, this isn’t a fun issue. But it is a necessary one. I hope you will read it. I hope you will learn something from it. Most of all, I hope it will help someone out there who needs it. For those of you out there who know someone that is battling, or you are yourself, don’t assume mental disorders can be outgrown, or pushed through. Don’t take for granted the fact they are still with you. Don’t make the mistake of taking their word for it when they tell you they don’t want to hurt themselves. That was one of the last conversations I had with my niece, by the way. Don’t worry, we’ll be back to our regularly scheduled programing next month. But, please, take this month’s edition to heart. Take Care,

Jason Huddle Publisher Cabarrus Magazine

Contents

This Issue . . .

Mental Health Awareness 6

Mental Health and the Homeless Connection

Is Laughter the Best Medicine?

Climbing out of the Darkness

Just Keep Fighting: Navigating the System for Kids with Mental Illness

Breaking Bread

Cabarrus Business: On the Go

May Events Calendar

Business Resources: At a Glance

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the 2003 A photo of George B. Isvorski from story in Cabarrus Magazine

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Feature By Pamilla Tolen

Mental Health and the Homeless Connection This article is not meant to be a soapbox for dealing with the plight of the homeless who are mentally ill. Rather, it is meant to be a thoughtprovoking journey that shows us; where this issue began; where we are now; and what are some of the options to help us deal with this serious situation for the future. “In the 1950s and 1960s homelessness declined to the point that researchers were predicting its virtual disappearance in the 1970s. Instead, in the 1980s, homelessness increased rapidly and drastically changed in composition. The “old homeless” of the 1950s were mainly old men living in cheap hotels on skid rows. The new homeless were much younger, more likely to be minority group members, suffering from greater poverty, and with access to poorer sleeping quarters. In addition, homeless women and families appeared in significant numbers. However, there were also points of similarity, especially high levels of mental illness and substance abuse.” www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ pubmed/22215 There is a well-known saying that when you lose your keys you go back the last place you knew you had them. In other words, where did we

go wrong, with regard to the mentally ill homeless? In order to find out, we need to go back to a time when the situation was at least stable. Firstly, what is mental illness? According to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) “We all experience emotional ups and downs from time to time caused by events in our lives. Mental health conditions go beyond these emotional reactions and become something longer lasting. They are medical conditions that cause changes in how we think and feel and in our mood. They are not the result of personal weakness, lack of character or poor upbringing.” However, treating this condition in many of the homeless community is not as simple as making sure they have food to eat and a warm, safe place to sleep, hoping they will reinsert themselves productively into society. In January 2003, Cabarrus Magazine (CM) wrote a story about a homeless man who had come to Concord. His name was George B. Isvorski. George’s story in Concord began on a cold and rainy Sunday on November 14, 2002 when he walked into a service at Forest Hill United Methodist Church. He took his place on the back row. He was tired, dirty and had a cough that indicated he

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might have a respiratory problem. According to him, his decline had begun 10 months earlier in Corpus Christi, Texas when he was laid off as a heavy equipment operator. He lost his apartment, had his truck repossessed and had no prospects for work. So, he hitchhiked to California then headed back East where he ended up in North Carolina. By then, his possessions had dwindled to a few clothes and personal items, which were taken from him at gunpoint after he had been beaten up. Now, George wasn’t there for a handout, he really wanted to work. So, when the pastor asked for prayer requests, George saw an opportunity to ask for help. He wanted the people of Forest Hill to talk to God for him and help him find a job. Karl and Dee Stover, former Concord residents, were also at that service and they made a determination to reach out to the community to get help for this man. First they went through the usual steps of arranging for hot meals, finding clean clothes and arranging for him

to stay at the local homeless shelter at night. The Stover’s could have let George go his own way at that point, but they didn’t. They wanted to solve his problems and take at least one homeless person off the streets. Next, they arranged for George to get medical attention for his respiratory condition. Another church member gave him money, while many others in the community came to his aid with clothes and even taking him shopping for work boots. He was given odd jobs to do for work so he could make money for himself. However, there was a problem. Like many homeless, George had lost his social security card and his couldn’t get another one without two forms of identification. Stover once more stepped in and began searching for his birth certificate. She also decided to contact anyone that might know George in the town where he grew up. He had gone to a Catholic school in Michigan so Dee decided to contact the school, which

turned her information over to one of George’s cousins. He contacted George’s two surviving sisters. The sisters then called Stover and related that they had been looking for him for 10 years. They thought he was dead. Arrangements were made to fly George home to his family. In fact, George became quite a celebrity in his two month stay in Concord. He was talked about from household to household as a Christmas miracle. Before he left Concord, the Stover’s gave George a warm coat and a small photograph album with their name, address and phone number telling him that he would always have a place to come back to and never be homeless again. At face value, this may seem like a great story about the results of reaching out to help the homeless, and that would not be incorrect. Unfortunately, there is a segment of the homeless community who cannot, or will not, be helped if this is the only solution offered to solve their problem. George fell into that group. Sadly, George’s story did not end

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happily. It was not because traditional help wasn’t offered. Rather, it was because the help he received was not sufficient for his condition. Upon further investigation, it became apparent that George had a mental disorder. It was not a problem that would cause him to harm others, but one that kept him from overcoming his situation on his own. After leaving Concord, George went to live with his older sister. He actually called the Stover from his sister’s home in Michigan. In the conversation he related the “shadows” were gone. After a few weeks, his sisters decided that it would be better if he lived with his younger sister, who lived near his boyhood home. He later told Stover that when he moved closer to his hometown, the “shadows” returned. Stover have no idea what those “shadows” George referred to were, because he received no mental evaluation. He lived in Michigan for a little over a month. He had plenty of food, and a warm, safe home with his family. One day he asked his brother-in-law to take him to a restaurant in his boyhood town, just so he could hang out for a while. Later that day, when the brother-in-law returned, George was gone. Surveying the people that were at the restaurant, he learned George had been seen getting into a truck which was leaving town. When his brother-in-law returned home he checked George’s room and found all his clothes were still there. The only things George had taken with him were his warm coat, a carton of cigarettes and the photo album. George was gone again, but this time, the decision to drift was made by George. It was not made for him. Several months later, Dee Stover received a call from a police officer. George’s warm coat with the album inside, were found beside a state highway. About a year passed with no word of his location when CM received a call from a lady in Virginia. She had surfed the internet trying to find some information on a George Isvorski, because he was living in a cabin on the back of property belonging to her parents and she was

Now, George wasn’t there for a handout, he really wanted to work. So, when the pastor asked for prayer requests, George saw an opportunity to ask for help. He wanted the people of Forest Hill to talk to God for him and help him find a job. Karl and Dee Stover, former Concord residents, were also at that service and they made a determination to reach out to the community to get help for this man. checking to see if he posed any danger to them. That was the last update CM received of George’s whereabouts. Upon further research for this article, it was discovered that George B. Isvorski, Concord’s Christmas miracle, passed away on October 21, 2005 in Ozark, Alabama, just 3 years from the time he had come to Concord and seemingly been rescued. What could have been done for him and many others like him to improve their quality of life? Remember those “lost keys” mentioned earlier? On October 30, 1984, Richard D. Lyons from Time magazine wrote an article entitled How Release of Mental Patients Began. Even today, almost thirty-five years later, it is still worth reading. The article addresses who was responsible for “Deinstitutionalization” of America’s mental institutions. Blame was spread everywhere, from cost-conscious policy makers to psychiatrists, involved as practitioners in the 1950’s and 1960’s who felt that the “responsibility lay on a sometimes neglected aspect of the problem: the overreliance on drugs to do the work of society.” According to Dr. M. Brewster Smith, A former University of California psychologist, who was part of the Joint Commission on Mental Illness and Health, an independent body set up by Congress in 1955, “extravagant claims were made for the benefits of shifting from state hospitals to community clinics, Dr. Smith said. “The professional community made mistakes and was overly optimistic, but the political community wanted to save money.”

Even as far back as 1963, Dr. Brown said he and other architects of the community centers legislation believed that, “while there was a risk of homelessness, it would not happen if Federal, state, local and private financial support ‘was sufficient’ to do the job. Resources vanished quickly.” In 2017, a study entitled Mental Illness and Homelessness was done at Harvard University. A summary of the results was posted by staff writer Mingu Kim. Some of the findings state the following: 1. People who are homeless and suffer from mental illness are more prone to problems in physical health due to neglect of self-care, leading to prevalence of respiratory infections, HIV, and substance abuse.” 2. Unfortunately, because of the increase in factors such as substance abuse, mentally ill, homeless individuals are more likely to be incarcerated. In fact, every single state in the United States arrests more mentally ill people than it hospitalizes.” 3. “This cycle that these individuals face between living on the streets and in prison causes emotional, financial, and physical stress from their families and the community at large.” The conclusion of this study is one that must be addressed. “Therefore, mental health programs should provide plans for both treatment and housing. It has been shown that both treatment without housing and housing without treatment are ineffective for homeless individuals with mental illness.” The HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development) estimates

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Upon further research for this article, it was discovered that George B. Isvorski, Concord’s Christmas miracle, passed away on October 21, 2005 in Ozark, Alabama, just 3 years from the time he had come to Concord and seemingly been rescued. What could have been done for him and many others like him to improve their quality of life? homelessness costs taxpayers approximately $40,000 per year per homeless individual. So, what can be done to find those lost keys? One could argue that lawmakers need to be encouraged to take another look at how to deal with this aspect of homelessness in our society. Another possible improvement could lay in updating laws that keep states from being able to institutionalize those homeless individuals who are not capable of

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making decisions for themselves in regards to their own health and welfare. According to NHAMI, “An estimated 26 percent of homeless adults staying in shelters live with serious mental illness and an estimated 46 percent live with severe mental illness and/ or substance use disorders. Approximately 20 percent of state prisoners and 21 percent of local jail prisoners have “a

recent history” of a mental health condition.” The Treatment Advocacy Center, a national non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating barriers to the timely and effective treatment of severe mental illness posts: “As states continue to close down psychiatric facilities, there will be an increasing number of individuals with serious mental illness who are homeless.” Isn’t it time to learn more about how we change this scenario? ■

Is Laughter the Best Medicine? Ongoing research in the science of laughter points to the method’s capacity for reducing stress and diminishing social isolation while improving self-confidence and general sense of well-being. World renowned researcher at the University of California, Dr. Lee Berk, reports strong evidence of laughter’s role in boosting the immune system and has been proven to be an aid in cardiac rehabilitation. According to studies, laughter is credited with boosting the immune system, improving circulation, helping balance blood sugar, relaxing muscles, aiding digestion, and even improving the quality of breast milk in nursing mothers. In addition, laughter burns calories. There is a huge difference between laughter and humor. Humor is a subjective experience, meaning that one person may find a situation/ expression humorous, but another person may not have the same experience. On the other hand, laughter is a universal physical act experienced by all for different situations. Laughter is often stimulated by humor, but it can also be stimulated without humor. Therapeutic Laughter has become a new topic in the media that utilizes a group setting to teach laughter techniques. These techniques of breathing, bringing forth mirthful laughter, and interaction with others by removing social isolation, but it also helps with range of motion, communication, balance, and flexibility (among other items). It is thought that these techniques work to improve quality of life, build self-confidence/self-esteem, teach coping skills, uplift perspective, and reinforce hope. More than ever the medical community is tapping into the importance of attitudes and emotions. With so many health problems facing the population along with high medical costs, scientific evidence

supports the idea that laughter helps keep us healthy. Laughter and humor ARE NOT primary treatments, but they can actually help other treatments work better. Amanda Buck is a trained World

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Laughter Leader through the World Laughter Tour. She is happy to come to do a laughter session with your church, school, or club. Please reach out to Arin Jackling at 704-933-6337 x 3010. ■

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Feature By: Jason Huddle

Climbing Out of the Darkness Sarah (Whose name has been changed to protect her identity) led a normal life by most accounts. She lived. She worked. She went about her days as most of us do, never dreaming she would begin to undergo changes in her mind that would alter her forever. After several nights where she was unable to sleep, Sarah began to hallucinate. It wasn’t long before she began to have feelings of paranoia. “My mind turned on me and I started to

believe that there were people out to get me and I was going to die,” She told CM. It was then she was involuntarily committed to a mental hospital and her life changed forever. Sarah was diagnosed with Bi-Polar disorder. Sarah, who lives and works in Cabarrus County, is like many across the nation. According to Mental Health America (MHA), over 44 million people, nationwide, are currently battling some form of mental disorder.

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“I was in the hospital for a whole month,” she remembered. “I was like a guinea pig as they were trying to figure out getting the medicine right. Some meds kept from even standing up straight. The brain is the most complicated part of your body when it comes to diagnosis and everyone’s different, so it’s hard.” That’s just a little over 18% percent of the population and the number of minors with some mental disorder continues to rise. Mental disorders are classified as, “changes in thinking, mood and/or behavior, that may occur more often or less often.” Granted, that is a very broad description, and it could probably be said that each one of us have dealt with dramatic mood or behavioral changes at some point in our lives. But, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMT) expands on the description to say these disorders are “long lasting and go beyond emotional reactions.” In essence, these conditions do not go away. They are something people, like Sarah, must constantly battle in order to simply function within society on a

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productive level. The mind is an area of medicine doctors have struggled to treat since time began. While great strides have been made in treatment options, there is still much we do not know when it comes to disorders, their cause and ways to effectively improve the life of those dealing with them. In Sarah’s case, the involuntary commitment was just the beginning of her nightmare. “After I was diagnosed, they switched my meds up and I ended up in the hospital, because, when you’re not on the right medicine with this condition, it can be dangerous,” she explained. “I can get angry when I don’t take my medicine and it scares my husband to death. I’m just extremely agitated. The feelings of paranoia also return. One time, I

called the cops and told them people were out to get me. They came to my house, but they were aware of my condition and figured out that I was not taking my correct meds.” This is something that happens all too often to those dealing with mental disorders, explains Michael Wenning, MD, child/adolescent psychiatrist with Atrium Health (practicing at Atrium NorthEast). “…experiencing symptoms over a long period of time or multiple symptoms together may indicate the need for professional (treatment),” He warned. But what about when the patient refuses that treatment? What are their loved ones to do? “If a loved one refuses treatment, there are a few options,” explained Jonathan

McKinsey, MD, medical director of NorthEast Psychiatric Services with Atrium Health. “If they are not acutely dangerous, that is threatening themselves or others, you may try to continue to convince them to see an outpatient provider. It may be helpful to recommend they speak with their trusted primary care physician or educate themselves utilizing online mental health resources or hotlines. If there is any element of (danger), first notify 911 to ensure everyone’s safety. A law enforcement officer (who is CIT trained) may assist with transporting the person to a mental health facility for further assessment. You may also submit a request for an involuntary treatment order through the county magistrate’s office.” CIT stands for Crisis Intervention Team, a police mental health collaborative program. The term “CIT” is often used to describe both a program and a training in law enforcement to help guide interactions between law enforcement and those living with a mental illness. After the incident involving the police, Sarah realized she needed help. The next step was to find the correct medication. This was a difficult process for her. “I was in the hospital for a whole month,” she remembered. “I was like a guinea pig as they were trying to figure out getting the medicine right. Some meds kept from even standing up straight. The brain is the most complicated part of your body when it comes to diagnosis and everyone’s different, so it’s hard.” Eventually, the correct medication and dosage were discovered for Sarah and she began the process of reintegrating into normal life. She currently has a job and says, while some of her colleagues are aware of her situation and know not to add to her daily stress, others are unaware, and she is fine with that as well. Sarah’s story is considered a successful one by medical standards, thus far. The disorder was diagnosed, is being treated and the patient is currently enjoying a productive life within society. Too often, however, her story is the exception, not the rule. For every Sarah, there are people like

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MHA states on its website, thirty to seventy percent of suicide victims suffered from either severe depression or bi-polar disorder. Fortunately, of those, 80 percent will give some form or warning before they choose to go through with ending their own life, as Dwayne did. Unfortunately, no one he spoke to about his thoughts took him seriously enough to seek professional help at the time.

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Dwayne. Dwayne was a graphic designer for a local advertising agency in 1996. He had a wife, an 18-month old daughter and a son on the way. He also battled with paranoid schizophrenia. Dwayne had sought help for his condition, but in October of that year, he was undergoing a change to his medicine. This can sometimes create suicidal thoughts within the patient. At lunch time, one day, Dwayne excused himself from work, as was his custom. By 2pm, when he had not returned, his colleagues began to get worried. Just about then, the phone rang. It was Dwayne’s wife, informing his employer that he had taken his own life at home. It is a scenario that plays out all too often across the country every day. MHA states on its website, thirty to seventy percent of suicide victims suffered from either severe depression or bi-polar disorder. Fortunately, of those, 80 percent will give some form or warning before they choose to go through with ending their own life, as Dwayne did. Unfortunately, no one he spoke to about his thoughts took him seriously enough to seek professional help at the time. Some of those signs may include; verbal suicide threats such as, “You’d be better off without me.” or “Maybe I won’t be around”, expressions of hopelessness and helplessness, previous suicide attempts, daring or risk-taking behavior, personality changes, depression, giving away prized possessions or lack of interest in future plans, to name a few. If you know someone who is showing these indicators, MHA advises to trust your instincts. Talk with and listen to this person, but do not try to counsel them yourself. Ask direct questions without being judgmental. Don’t leave them alone and, above all, get professional help. There is help locally. “Atrium Health’s Behavioral Health Help Line is available 24/7 at 704-4442400,” advised Dr. Wenning.

“Also, Atrium Health’s psychiatric emergency department is the only one in the region (located at 501 Billingsley Road in Charlotte) for any mental health or substance use crises. Finally, feel free to contact your primary care/mental health provider, call 911 or go to an emergency department if you are in crisis or a lifethreatening situation.” Dr. Wenning also said it’s important, most of all, to talk about mental health concerns. “There is frequently a stigma associated with mental health difficulties. Mental illnesses are still often seen as a “weakness” or character flaw,” He explained. “Fortunately, medical knowledge and public awareness regarding behavioral health issues continues to expand and improve. Mental and physical health are inseparable. More people are willing to seek assistance and also share their experiences to help others.” Sarah was a lucky one. She received help before her disorder overtook her. She also knows now, missing her medications is not an option. “I can’t deal with society at all if I don’t take my meds. I can’t leave the house. It’s dangerous for me not to be on my medicine,” Sarah said with a tremble in her voice. She knows this is something she will most likely have to deal with the rest of her life, but she’s alright with that and doesn’t mind the fact she must take her medications without fail. “I see it like a diabetic that takes insulin. They have to take that to survive and if this is what it takes for me to be normal, that’s what I have to do.” If you, or someone you know is considering suicide, Additional resources include contacting the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK or online at www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org. Daymark Mobile Crisis is available locally (1-866-275-9552) 24 hours/day. ■

“It’s important, most of all, to talk about mental health concerns. There is frequently a stigma associated with mental health difficulties. Mental illnesses are still often seen as a “weakness” or character flaw. Fortunately, medical knowledge and public awareness regarding behavioral health issues continues to expand and improve. Mental and physical health are inseparable. More people are willing to seek assistance and also share their experiences to help others.” -Dr. Wenning May 2019 17 ■

Kelsey Rose Brouillette 1999-2018

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Feature By: Jason Huddle

Just Keep Fighting: NAVIGATING THE SYSTEM FOR KIDS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS I don’t typically write in the first person. But I am going to do that with this article because this one is personal. It is about a topic that cut my family to the core one night in late October, 2018. We had all been together that evening to celebrate the gender reveal of my eldest niece, Ashlyn, who was expecting her second child with her husband, Jason. The happy couple threw a special powder on the roaring campfire to reveal the sex of their coming child. The flame turned blue. Everyone was thrilled. Although, there was one notable absence. Of course, this wasn’t unusual. Kelsey, Ashlyn’s sister, had been struggling with mental illness the past few years. She would have good days and bad days. Lately the bad had outnumbered the good and being in social situations seemed to exacerbate that fact. Little did we know, while we were enjoying each other’s company, celebrating this new life coming into our family, Kelsey was sitting on

the side of a road near Harrisburg, contemplating leaving this world. At 5am the next morning, my phone rang. It was the worst call I’ve ever received. Kelsey was gone, just three days shy of her 19th birthday. It is a tragic story with a horrible ending. I never thought I would ever have to live through it, or watch my sister mourn the loss of her daughter. But how did we get here? People always say, “They should have gotten her help!” The truth is, Kelsey had been hospitalized twice for her condition and was under a doctor’s care. In addition, at the time of her death, Kesley was legally an adult. As such, the choice to take her medications or seek treatment was completely up to her, unless she demonstrated she was a threat to herself or others. It was only after her death, we discovered videos on the internet where she indicated her “voices” were telling her to kill herself. In person, she was telling everyone the

At 5am the next morning, my phone rang. It was the worst call I’ve ever received. Kelsey was gone, just three days shy of her 19th birthday.

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Navigating the system is not easy, especially when it comes to getting help for a child under 18. Perhaps if we had known then what we know now, the outcome may have been different.

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opposite. Even though she was still in high school and living with her father, HIPPA laws prevented doctors from discussing her condition with family. In short, we were powerless help her. When her symptoms began, Kelsey was still a minor. Unfortunately, we were novices at this. Navigating the system is not easy, especially when it comes to getting help for a child under 18. Perhaps if we had known then what we know now, the outcome may have been different. Which is what brings us to the crux of this article. I wanted to educate our readers on what to do if you are faced with your own child being in this unfortunate situation. What can be done? What help is available? How do you get it? I sat down with a local resident of Cabarrus County, whom we’ll call

“Angel.” Her daughter, “Hope,” is a diagnosed schizophrenic. Hope would tell you she heard voices as well, but they would tell her to do harm to others. Hope’s story starts when she was very young. As far back as she can remember, she began to see hallucinations. “Her first major break was around the time she turned twelve. She was completely unable to distinguish what’s real from what’s not. Despite it going against everything that is her natural personality, she was suddenly completely obsessed with the idea of violently killing another person,” remembered Angel. “She would actually giggle while talking about it. It was a scary, traumatic time.” Since childhood-onset schizophrenia is rare, it can be difficult to get a

diagnosis, In Hope’s case, it was a little easier call for the doctors. “In our case, she remained psychotic -- broken from reality -- for so long, and had so many symptoms, that it was a clear diagnosis,” Angel recalled. Despite the “clear diagnosis,” treatment for Hope has presented its challenges. First, there was the trials and errors associated with finding the right medication, which can take a toll on the patient, as well as their family. In Hope’s case, she has shown medication resistance, which made things exponentially more difficult. “It took a year and a half to achieve even a small measure of stability,” Angel explained. “That was a scary time, watching her flounder as med after med failed to help. She ultimately showed some response to an antipsychotic that is considered the last line of defense in people who don’t respond to any others. It’s a higher risk med, and she was just thirteen when she started taking it, but it was our last hope to bring her any stability.” While she still has some hallucinations and experiences the cognitive and negative symptoms associated with schizophrenia, Angel says Hope is a very different person from who she was in the early days. However, “the medications were only the first in a series of challenges,” Angel said. “Believe it or not, our barrier has sometimes been the fact that we have private insurance. It would probably surprise a lot of people to know that private insurance is not as good as Medicaid when it comes to approving treatments. In addition to parenting a teen with serious mental illness, I am on the board of a nonprofit that serves families like mine. We always know that we’re going to hit more walls with a child with private insurance, because they will not approve things as readily. Additionally, some facilities and programs are exclusively available to patients with Medicaid. Hope has not had a lot of behavioral issues, so while she’s been hospitalized a number of times, she has needed only a therapist and psychiatrist outside of those hospitalizations. If she’d needed things like in-home support, we would not have been able to get it covered.”

Hope’s case is so severe, according to her mother, that getting her admitted when she needed hospitalization was never the challenge. However, hospitalization can bring its own difficulties. Even if it’s approved by the insurance company, there is always the questions of beds being available and where. There are only a few facilities specifically for minors in North Carolina. So, it would not be uncommon, if Hope needed to be admitted, to be driving to one end of the state or the other, because that was

where a bed was available. “There are simply not enough psych beds in the state for children or adolescents,” explained Angel. “She has had to wait for as many as five days in the emergency department before a bed has opened up anywhere. Once they do find a bed, your child goes wherever that is, which could be anywhere in the state. Hope has been hospitalized outside of Charlotte four times, and each of those times, I stayed in a hotel near her so I could see her daily at visiting time. That gets

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to be exhausting and expensive. She once spent almost three weeks just outside Wilmington in the summer, and we paid summer beach town hotel rates, plus food costs and such, for the entire three weeks.” It is a process that requires the parent to be a constant advocate for their child and it is relentless. Unlike Kelsey, Hope’s story goes on. While she continues to improve in comparison to when she was first diagnosed, Angel and Hope know there is no cure for schizophrenia, and she will never outgrow it. Unless there are huge breakthroughs in treatment, she will not get better. “Our number one priority is keeping Hope safe,” Angel stated. While she had exhibited homicidal tendencies initially, Angel said she is more likely to hurt herself than others, now. “She has attempted suicide once, has come very close before stopping and asking for help several other times, and has a history of serious self-harm.” Beyond “keeping her safe,” there is the task of dealing with activities of daily living. In addition to causing things like hallucinations and delusions, schizophrenia can also result in cognitive and social issues as well. “While she does a great job of looking “normal” in social settings and relates pretty well to others, we are constantly managing and balancing her interactions, stress level, and mood,” explained Angel. “Realistically, life will never be easy for her. It’s not just about hallucinations and delusions. Schizophrenia affects almost everything her brain does. The best way to describe it to others who aren’t as familiar with it is that it’s like dementia; in fact, the name for it used to be dementia praecox, which means premature dementia. She struggles with memory, executive function, social situations, and more. Only about 5% of people with schizophrenia hold a full-time job, and just 20% or so hold even a part-time job. She will always need some supports in place to help manage her life, and she will not be able to experience some

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of the things that others do, like parenthood, or full independence.” Fortunately, Hope is also defying odds and showing how amazing she is all the time. She has held a job for the last several months, just because she decided she “wanted to be a regular teen and get a regular job.” “Her managers have raved about how great she is,” Angel said triumphantly. Hope also volunteers her time and spends time with friends. “She’s a thoughtful, loving daughter and sister.”

Unlike Kelsey, Hope’s story goes on. While she continues to improve in comparison to when she was first diagnosed, Angel and Hope know there is no cure for schizophrenia, and she will never outgrow it. Hope is working hard to ensure she can live a life that’s as close to “normal” as possible, because that’s what she desires for herself, said her mother. “She is an inspiration to all who know her and, while this isn’t the road we imagined when we became parents, we couldn’t be more proud of how she’s playing the cards she was dealt.” However, what about those parents and families as the beginning of this journey? Angel has some simple advice. “Just move forward. It can be hard and feel paralyzing, but you can do it. You may be unsure of what the

threshold is for seeking help, but it is never wrong to just run concerns by your child’s doctor. You may feel some denial about what’s going on, but remember that your child is already struggling with whatever it is. Naming it isn’t going to make it worse, and ignoring it isn’t going to make it go away. Earlier treatment is always better.” I wish I’d had this information while Kelsey was still alive and at the beginning of her illness. Yes, dealing with a child with schizophrenia, can be a grueling process. During her final morning on earth, she reportedly ranted at the top of her lungs for several hours and this was not uncommon for her. She would get in people’s faces, pull hair, call the authorities and accuse people of abuse. Once, she cut the electrical chord to the family television because a paranoid delusion that told her the CIA was using it to spy on her. One of my last conversations with her indicated the same paranoia and there was nothing I could do to convince her it wasn’t real. It was truly exhausting. So, my advice to you is the same as Angel’s. Keep at it, no matter what. Don’t give up, no matter how tempting it may be. While Hope’s story may not be ideal, she is still with us. She is still fighting. She’s still in the game. She is demonstrating that, while there is no cure, she is overcoming her diagnosis by taking it one day at a time. Kelsey’s story? It serves as reminder of a precious life lost too soon, but also a motivator to educate others on why it’s so important to not ignore mental illness when begins to surface. And, if it does, just keep fighting. ■ Writer’s note: Sometimes, despite all your best efforts, your child’s story may end like Kelsey, rather than Hope. Even Angel knows Hope is still in real danger. This article is not an admonition of those families, but rather is directed at those who are just beginning this process, so they will know how to educate themselves and they are not alone. For more information on Hope and her story, visit www.hopeinthedarkestdays. blogspot.com/2018/.

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On The Go

On the Go Kannapolis City Manager Honored

Kannapolis City Manager, Mike Legg, accepts his award from the Charlotte Business Journal.

Concord Mayor, Bill Dusch, commended Neta Helms on serving her community for more than 70 years.

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Kannapolis City Manager, Mike Legg, was one of 35 CEO’s honored by the Charlotte Business Journal during a recent ceremony held in Charlotte. The Most Admired CEOs of the Charlotte Region included leaders from the fields of education, healthcare, manufacturing, sports, entertainment and tourism, banking, real estate, marketing, and technology. Other honorees included: Fred Whitfield, President of the Charlotte Hornets; Pamela Davies, Chancellor of Queens University; Phil Dubois, Chancellor of UNCC; Eddie Edwards of CommScope Inc.; Luke Kissam of the Albemarle Group; and Phil Jurney of Paragon Bank. Mike was recognized for his contributions to ensure the financial health of Kannapolis, for creating a great work culture for employees and his contributions to the community. Mike has ensured the City’s financial success utilizing a strategic approach to all funding mechanisms available to local governments: cost controls, capital improvement budgeting, general fund budgeting, leveraging bonds and other loan products. Under his leadership the City of Kannapolis has survived the closure of one of the world’s largest companies, the layoff of 4,000 employees, the recession and stagnant revenues. “Mike doesn’t say “we cannot do this” or “governments don’t do this” instead he focuses on exploring all avenues for success and the question is “how we can make this happen?” He is very good at leveraging the right people at the right time to make good things happen for Kannapolis,” said Kannapolis Mayor Darrell Hinnant.

He has served as City Manager of Kannapolis since 2004 and began working for Kannapolis in 1995, first as the City’s Planning Director and then as Deputy City Manager.

Neta’s Children’s & Ladies Shop Honored for 70+ Years in Business On April 30, 2019, Neta’s Children’s and Ladies Shop closed its doors for the final time. A reception to honor the legacy of Neta’s was held on April 12, at Lotus Living Arts Studio in downtown Concord. Over the last 70-plus years, Neta’s has clothed generations of children from Concord and the surrounding areas. Owner Neta B. Helms opened her first store in 1947 with $1,000 and an additional $1,000 loan from her father. Her first shop was in a small space on the second floor of the former Robinson’s building in Downtown Concord. In 1948, Neta’s sister Rena McPhatter joined the business. Rena would work with Neta’s until 1991. In 1953, another sister, Catherine Petrea joined the Neta’s team. Catherine worked with Neta’s until 2011. On the store’s announcement to close, owner Helms said, “I will miss my friends and loved ones. The opportunity of clothing generations has been a blessing... thank you for all the love, friendship and support through the years.” Johnson Bray, Executive Director of Concord Downtown Development Corporation said, “Neta’s is an important component of the history of Downtown Concord. Generations of children and ladies have been patrons of Neta’s. The photos of customers in her shop are a testament to her legacy.”

Tuition is $900 for members and $1,250 for nonmembers, with priority acceptance given to members. Program information can be found on the Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce website. Applications for the program and the scholarships are in the drop down menu under Leadership Cabarrus.

Commissioners Still Seeking input on County Government Services

Leadership Cabarrus provides an opportunity for people in the community to learn how it works and how they can improve it.

Chamber Seeking Leadership Cabarrus Applicants Leadership Cabarrus is a program designed for business and community leaders in mid- to upper-level positions with experience. To date, the program has welcomed more than 700 participants, representing nearly 200 companies. Goals are to educate and enhance awareness of the assets, resources and needs within the Cabarrus County region. Through a series of monthly class days (third Tuesdays of the month, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.) from September through May, participants are introduced to and examine how leadership in the historical, geographical, educational, economic, governmental and cultural segments work together to perpetuate and advance the Cabarrus County region and its citizens. The program is also designed to nurture and engage the leadership skills of current and potential leaders. In an atmosphere that is stimulating and fosters diverse viewpoints, results will be innovative answers to the critical questions facing our community. The program’s focus is creating awareness and connecting leaders to the issues; it is not an academic leadership training program. Further, the program is not political and does not recommend and advocate policy positions on public matters. Applications for the 2020 class are open now and are due by June 28 at 5 p.m. There are three scholarships available – F&M Bank provides one for a small

business member and Duke Energy and Hilbish Ford provide two for nonprofit leaders. All scholarship applicants must be employees of Chamber member businesses. The deadline for scholarship applications is May 31 at 5 p.m. Scholarship winners will be notified by June 10.

Since the first week of April, Robbie Furr, director of Cabarrus County’s Cooperative Extension Office, and Lauren Tayara, Cabarrus County budget analyst, have been leading discussions to help spur engagement with residents regarding county services. Each session lasts less than two hours and includes exercises that provide equal opportunity for participants to communicate their vision for County planning and resource allocation. “It’s a chance to interact with neighbors, share ideas and concerns and build on each other’s ideas,” Furr said.

Cabarrus Magazine Would Like to Thank its Community Sponsors!

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“This is a safe space where all opinions are valued -- the County wants to know how our residents are impacted by programs and services.” There are two Robbie Furr sessions remaining in May; Thursday, May 2, 6:30 p.m. at the West Cabarrus YMCA (5325 Langford Ave NW), and Monday, May 13, 6:30 p.m. Logan Multi-Purpose Center (184 Booker Drive SW). There is no requirement for knowledge of the County or its services to participate in the workshop and give opinions, but Furr believes participants could obtain information about valuable services for themselves, their families and their communities. Furr acknowledges the challenges of committing time to a workshop during the week but asks residents to consider the long-term impact of participating. “This is an opportunity for active citizenship—it’s as important as voting in an election,” he said. “These decisions

affect every resident. Your elected officials are intentionally asking for guidance. You have an important role that will provide structure to the commissioners’ decision-making processes.” Cabarrus County commissioners continue to engage in the strategic planning process, which could take a year to complete. Resident input will help create goals around which County staff can focus administrative practices. The County may also use the information as a starting point for improving the community survey and determining budget priorities. For more information on the workshops, call 704-920-3310, email outreach@cabarruscounty.us or visit www.cabarruscounty.us.

Concord Seeking Input for Preservation Plan A Preservation Plan process is underway to examine the future of historic preservation in Concord. Since 1982, an appointed board has administered historic district regulations and otherwise promoted, enhanced, and preserved the

character of Concord’s historic districts. By the end of the process, the City hopes to define a vision and goals for the future of historic preservation in the City. Some focus areas include systems to protect historic resources, means and methods to encourage historic preservation, considering a new survey of historic resources, and exploring interest in possible district expansion. Full background and project objectives are available at concordnc.gov/preservationplan. The City is asking for citizen input and will receive feedback from through May 20. Citizens are strongly encouraged to visit concordnc.gov/preservationplan before the deadline to share perspectives on important preservation resources and appropriate strategies for their neighborhoods. Senior Planner Scott Sherrill is available to attend neighborhood meetings and discuss the process. To schedule a meeting or find out more about Preservation Plan, contact Sherrill at sherrills@concordnc.gov or 704-920-5136.■

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SELF-GUIDED HISTORIC WALKING TOUR Daily Downtown Concord • Take a step back in time with the touch of a button when you download the Concord Downtown NC App to your Bluetooth-enabled device. • More than 50 historic sites; follow along at your leisure. • 704-784-4208; concorddowntown.com MOVIES ON CAMPUS: DISNEY’S RAPLH BREAKS THE INTERNET May 3 • 6 pm Veteran’s Park, Kannapolis • Bring your blankets or lawn chairs to watch Disney’s Ralph Breaks the Internet on the big screen • Part of the 600 Festival May Event Lineup • 704-455-8888; www.600festival.com JIGGY WITH THE PIGGY May 3-4 • 10am – 2 pm Jiggy with the Piggy Festival NC Research Campus, Kannapolis • Free Admission • Kansas City Barbeque Society Competition, Rides, 5k Walk/ Run, over 100 artisans, Concerts, a Friday Night outdoor family movie, an All You Can Eat Pancake Breakfast, and People’s Choice BBQ and Wings Tasting. • www.kannapolisnc.gov/ Community/Jiggy-With-the-Piggy

28 Cabarrus Magazine ■

MAY ZUCCHINI 600 May 4 • 10am – 2 pm Jiggy with the Piggy Festival NC Research Campus, Kannapolis • Located in the kid’s area of Jiggy with the Piggy festival • Kids of all ages can build a race car from the zucchini vegetable. • Races start at 12 noon • Prizes are available! • 704-455-8888; www.600festival.com KENTUCKY DERBY THEMED TEA PARTY May 4 • 2 pm Eastern Cabarrus Historical Society 1100 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant • Enjoy tea, sweets, savories and a hat contest in the charming setting of the Eastern Cabarrus Historical Society’s Society Hall • Tickets must be purchased in advance. • 704-436-6612; www.echsmuseum.org COMPLETE YOUR ADVANCED DIRECTIVE May 9 • 5-7 pm Concord Library 27 Union St. N., Concord • A free opportunity to review and sign your Health Care Power of Attorney and Living Will forms • Have your advance directive forms notarized free of charge • Learn what to do with your completed advance directive • To get copies of the forms or to contact us, visit AtriumHealth.org/ YourCareYourChoice

2ND SATURDAY OPEN STUDIOS AT CLEARWATER ARTIST STUDIOS May 11• 10:00am-4:00pm 223 Crowell Drive N.W., Concord • Several art studios on premises will be open with resident artists present to talk to, watch work, etc. • 704-784-9535; clearwaterartists.com SPRING INTO ARTS FESTIVAL May 11 • 1:00-7:00pm Historic Downtown Concord • Annual family-friendly event promoting the visual and performing arts. • Enjoy the juried art show, musical entertainment, locally crafted beer & wine, fantastic food, and a children’s area! • 704-784-4208, www.concorddowntown.com KANNAPOLIS CRUISE-IN May 11 • 10 am - 4:00 pm N.C. Research Campus, Kannapolis • This family-fun event brings out thousands of show cars and spectators. • 704-932-3808; cabarrusevents.org VETERANS BREAKFAST 2nd Monday of Each Month May 13 • 9:00am Mt. Pleasant Senior Center 8615 Park Drive, Mt. Pleasant • All military veterans/spouses invited • Join us for breakfast, speakers and fellowship every month! • Call 704-920-3484 to RSVP

THE CABARRUS QUILTERS GUILD May 13 • 6:30 PM Forest Hill United Methodist Church 265 Union Street N., Concord • Speaker: Lee Chapell Monroe • cabarrusquiltersguild.org BUSINESS AFTER HOURS May 14 • 5:00-6:30pm Cabarrus Brewing Company 329 McGill Ave. N.W, Concord • Premier networking event for business professionals; a relationship-building experience held in a relaxed setting that benefits you and your company through added contacts and resources. • Free for Chamber members; guests contact Alison Paladino: 704-782-4000

PIEDMONT FARMERS MARKET Every Saturday • 8:00am 518 Winecoff School Road, Concord • Open year-round. Fresh local produce, honey, free-range eggs, antibiotic and hormonefree beef, chicken and pork. • 704-425-5559; piedmont-farmersmarket.com MONSTER ENERGY ALL-STAR RACE May 18 • 8 pm Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord • 1-800-455-FANS; charlottemotorspeedway.com

CIRCLE K SPEED STREET May 23-25 Tryon St., Uptown Charlotte • Showcasing partner displays, free goodies, samples, interactive displays, music and fun for the entire family. • All activities on Tryon Street are free and open from 12 noon - 8 p.m., daily. • At 6 p.m. in Romare Bearden Park, the CocaCola stage comes alive with music from Corey Smith, Brothers Osborne and STYX. • 704-455-8888; www.600festival.com SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY May 25 • All Day Historic Downtown Concord • Make a purchase at any participating business and enter into a drawing for $100 in Downtown Concord Dollars to be spent in participating businesses. • 704-784-4208; concorddowntown.com COCA-COLA 600 May 26 • 6 pm Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord • 1-800-455-FANS • www.charlottemotorspeedway.com

THE 2019 CABARRUS MAGAZINE SUMMER FUN ONLINE GUIDE is coming mid-June to Cabarrusmagazine.com!

May '19: A Special Issue on Mental Health

Articles inside

Breaking Bread: Pimento Cheese

Just Keep Fighting: Navigating the System for Kids with Menatl Illness

Climbing out of the Darkness

Is Laughter the best Medicine?

Mental Health and the Homless Connection