Clarence* was a college student studying computer engineering when he first began to hear voices. As his illness progressed, Clarence was unable to continue his studies and dropped out of college. He worked a series of jobs, moving from place to place, never having a place to call home.
Clarence gravitated to Colorado where he worked until his illness became too consuming for him to control on his own. He was admitted to a local hospital with severe psychosis and given a diagnosis of schizophrenia.
Clarence met with the Pikes Peak Mental Health homeless outreach team while staying at a shelter. He began meeting weekly with his assigned case manager, who helped him set up a treatment plan. The team psychiatrist helped Clarence monitor and stabilize his medications.
Clarence's case manager guided him through the applications for Social Security benefits and a housing voucher. Clarence was accepted in the Shelter Plus Care program and, although he had some initial problems with his first apartment, has been able to maintain his second apartment without incident.
"It's good to have a home again," Clarence said. "I can't even begin to tell you how good it feels."
After two years of working with the homeless outreach team, Clarence successfully transferred to the Pikes Peak Mental Health discovery team. Clarence attends his therapy and medication appointments and church services regularly. Last Thanksgiving, Clarence reconnected with his family in Texas.
"I started working out at the gym again," Clarence said. "For a long time, I wasn't able to. Now I'm back."
*To protect the identity of Clarence, this story does not use his last name or a real picture
Signup for our e-newsletter
Subscribe to alerts from Pikes Peak. Stay informed with the latest in news and events. Click here to signup.