Seeking a second opinion: How Laurie got back on track with Community Alliance

Mental health setbacks can impact anyone, but how do you know when it’s time to seek professional help? And if that help is making a difference? Laurie’s journey is a testament to the power of second opinions, integrated care, self-advocacy and talking openly about mental health. 

Reaching recovery with integrated, whole-person care

After an initial ADHD diagnosis from another community provider, Laurie was overprescribed and soon became dependent on his medications. 

“I didn’t realize how bad it was getting, but my husband and family could tell,” Laurie said. “I was on a high dose of medication and in my own world; eventually becoming dependent on the medications.” 

Laurie’s mental health was deteriorating, and he couldn’t hold a job due to his anxiety, which led to depression and frequent cannabis use. Following six years of ineffective treatment, he knew something wasn’t right and sought out a second opinion at Community Alliance in April 2023.

After his initial call, Laurie was scheduled for an intake appointment the next day and began services through our integrated care clinic within a week. He was pleasantly surprised by the brief wait time and accessible support, which already felt like a step forward. 

“I felt better just knowing there were people in my community who could not only help but wanted to help. They were actively encouraging me to come back and engage with Community Alliance’s services and people,” Laurie said. “The value of having everything integrated in one place, you can’t put a price on that.”

Through Laurie’s personalized, collaborative treatment plan, he’s learned how to better understand his needs, making communication with his doctors easier. 

“I’ve learned that no matter how difficult your situation is, a happy, stable, fulfilling life is possible. It’s in reach with the right support and treatment plan.”

Laurie feels like he’s had a factory reset with Community Alliance services, stepping into a new version of himself. 

“I know the new version of me came from the services I’ve received here, and that’s incredible,” he said. “I’m almost in a position where I can go back to work, and I’m already able to socialize and see family again. It’s truly a night and day difference. I genuinely got my life back because of Community Alliance.”

Empowering others through open conversations 

Laurie’s journey has helped others in his life, too. 

Last year, one of his family members with depression was at a point where she couldn’t leave her house. Laurie shared with her the details of his recovery plan and his experience with services, humanizing the process and helping her overcome the belief that she couldn’t be helped. They worked together to find and enroll her in the right support. 

He believes his lived experience and increased comfort with discussing mental health is integral to helping others seek help.

“I’m open about the fact that I see a psychiatrist, that I go to therapy,” Laurie said. “You just have to talk about it. Check on your friends, call your mom, lean into conversations that give people space to open up. If you take the first step, it can be awkward, but it can lead to conversations that lead to people seeking help. The more you share, the more people will share with you.”

Laurie acknowledges that it may feel daunting to ask for help, especially if it’s someone’s first time looking into services. Past, negative experiences with providers may also make people feel like progress isn’t possible. But he encourages taking the next step, whether it’s getting started or getting a second opinion. 

“If you’re in a position where you know something is up, the best thing you can do is go to people who can help you figure out next steps, provide accurate information and help you make the best decisions for your health,” Laurie said. “I would encourage people who need help to just call Community Alliance — or have a friend call for you. Their staff will help you navigate from there. It’s worth the time it takes to become the best version of yourself.”