Minority Mental Health Month aims to raise awareness of how mental health affects minority groups differently and highlights the disparities in treatment and available resources. Easterseals PORT Health is committed to addressing gaps in minority mental health care and treatment. This month, we are featuring Franchette and her life-changing experience with our Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team.
Franchette
Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) is full spectrum, long-term, community-based treatment for adults with severe and persistent mental health needs. This evidence-based treatment requires a high level of coordinated care and supports individuals as they continue to live independently. ACT helps people address every aspect of their lives, whether through medication, therapy, social support, employment or housing.
Six years ago, Franchette was withdrawn, depressed and had little interest in most things. She struggled to make eye contact and kept her visits as brief as possible. Recognizing the need for a more tailored approach to her care, Michelle, Easterseals PORT Health’s ACT Program Director, describes the treatment philosophy: “ACT uses hands-on techniques to help people build their strengths and achieve their personal goals. This approach focuses on developing important skills while building trust through regular support. Since ACT doesn’t have strict time limits, we can adjust our progress based on each person’s readiness to make changes. The beauty of ACT is that it doesn’t look the same for every person. Having a team of professionals, trained and skilled in various areas, allows us to truly tailor treatment to a person’s needs.”
Today, Franchette is committed to her ongoing treatment and effectively uses the coping skills she has learned. She is taking foreign language classes, can confidently hold conversations and is actively seeking employment. “I now hope about tomorrow, the next day and then the next,” says Franchette.
We thank our ACT team and Franchette for sharing their stories. If you or someone you know is looking for mental health services, learn more at eastersealsPORT.com/mental-health-for-adults and eastersealsPORT.com/mental-health-for-youth.
ABOUT US
Easterseals PORT Health is a trustworthy, compassionate partner providing exceptional disability, mental health and substance use services to help our neighbors live their best lives. Purpose, dedication and empathy drive our in-person and telehealth service delivery. Our diverse and inclusive 2,800 member team provides more than 10.2 million hours of meaningful support to 40,200 kids, adults and families in 11,000 home, facility and community locations across North Carolina and Virginia. Learn more at eastersealsPORT.com.
