At 14 years old, Malia was literally hiding from the world, ensconced in hoodies to hide her face and never speaking above a whisper. Struggling with both hearing and seeing things that others couldn’t while isolating herself, she faced her serious mental health issues alone.
But then, the FCA’s Intensive In-Home Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Services (IICAPS) program came into her life and Malia discovered a safe and supportive space. Through the program, she learned to connect with others, forming friendships that she hadn’t thought possible. She even took a step many wouldn’t have expected— she attended her prom, a testament to her growing confidence.
With the help of IICAPS, Malia found the strength to open up to her family about her challenges and no longer had to shoulder her burdens alone. Thanks to the profound impact of FCA’s professional care, Malia learned strategies to manage her mental illness, gaining tools that empowered her to navigate her hallucinations without needing to be hospitalized.
Now, Malia is stable, attending school, and is optimistic about her future. “Thanks to IICAPS I learned that my mental illness doesn’t define me,” said Malia.
