Success Stories

Harlene Kelley

Most of us who think back to our childhood years can recall warm family memories, sleepovers, and achievements woven in with the bumps and bruises that accompany life. But for Harlene Kelley the memories of childhood are a tragic story written with violent scenes, withheld love and a child never measuring up to the expectations of her father.

She vividly remembers violent beatings on a regular basis from her police officer father. Harlene took judo classes as a teen to help defend herself during her father's rages. She spent her life trying to be the boy her father always wanted. Although she excelled in sports, could shoot guns at a young age and fight boys in neighborhood brawls, she never received her father's approval. "I tried to be the toughest and best at everything and it was never good enough," said Harlene. As for her mother, Harlene remembers her sitting in the chair crying on a daily basis.

Harlene married a police officer to escape her home and found herself in another physically abusive situation. They moved to California in 1956 where Harlene got a job as a VIP secretary with Lockheed Martin working for the military. She would be there until retirement, almost 50 years later. Her years at Lockheed were interesting but stressful working in a high security position with high-ranking officials.

Harlene had one child, a daughter born with hydrocephalus and although she was only expected to live a few months, she lived six and a half years. Harlene was never able to bring her daughter home but could only visit her in the hospital. The doctors could never confirm the cause of her daughter's illness so Harlene would not take the chance that another child might also suffer from the same condition.

After eight years with her first husband, Harlene, divorced and eventually married a Navy pilot. Her second marriage ended after six years and she has remained single.

A passion throughout Harlene's life has been training dogs and horses. Upon moving to California, Harlene joined the Los Angeles Mounted Search and Rescue. Her unit was eventually hired by the LAPD to reinforce their mounted patrol. She was involved in many dangerous, violent and life-threatening situations during her days with the LAPD. She served for 21 years in Search and Rescue.

Throughout her life, Harlene felt as if she was witnessing life through a window as a lone observer. She was plagued with panic attacks, night sweats and nightmares. The life of abuse, fear and violence had taken its toll. After 49 years and ten months in Los Angeles, Harlene headed out of town and closed the door on her life in California. She had set her hopes on a peaceful life and was gambling that a small town in Colorado would be just the place.

Upon arriving, Harlene was overwhelmed with the vast open spaces and friendly people. "It's like I stepped back in time to this peaceful place and more open space than I had ever experienced in my life," said Harlene. "I can walk down the street and look people in the eye here," she said. "I've never done that before."

Although Harlene had sought help for her mental health issues in California, her doctor had never provided answers but only prescribed medication. Upon settling into her new home, Harlene had a friend who pointed her to West Central Mental Health Center. After an evaluation by a West Central clinician, Harlene was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and depression.

She had no knowledge about her illnesses. She had never received any information about ways to cope with her symptoms outside of medications. At West Central, Harlene was educated about her illnesses and learned techniques to improve her quality of life. "I received more help at West Central, in a short period of time, than ever in my life," said Harlene. "West Central and the superior help available here is the real success story."

Harlene feels that although she was a victim much of her life, she can use those experiences to her advantage and doesn't need to stay a victim. She sees her past experiences as stepping stones to where she is now. She spends much of her time riding her horse and enjoying the fulfilling life she always longed for. "I have so much appreciation for the staff at West Central," said Harlene. "The care and treatment they gave me, changed my life."

Shelia Sallie

Despair to hope is a journey that one local woman has traveled successfully. Thirty two year old, Shelia Sallie's struggles started as a young child. Depression and anxiety plagued her, but she didn't know what it was or have anyone to help her cope.

Her early school memories are permeated with loneliness, fear and worry that something bad would happen to her. She would fake being sick so she wouldn't have to go to school for days or even weeks at a time. Shelia remembers wrapping herself in her imagination to escape her fears and try to cope with her life. Her school years were spent as a loner and her fears kept her from even trying to make friends. She didn't understand what was wrong with her and felt certain no one else would either.

"My every day life was dreary, with no happiness," said Shelia. "I just drifted along trying to survive any way that I could."

At the age of seven, Shelia's school had a class about inappropriate touching and molestation. As a result of the class she realized that her Dad had been sexually abusing her since she was about five years old. She told her Mom what was happening but, when confronted, her father denied the accusations and accused Shelia of lying about him. The abuse would continue for several years until Shelia threatened to call the police about the sexual abuse if it didn't stop. The anger, at her father for the abuse and her mother for not believing the abuse was happening, was crippling for Shelia.

The depression and anxiety continued for Shelia throughout her teen and young adult years. She was unable to hold down a job and continued to miss school. She reached out to her pastor's wife at age 19 and was able to at least talk about some of her struggles. At 21, she briefly saw a therapist and tried some medication but her efforts at recovery were half-hearted and sporadic. Shelia continued to struggle with her illness until she ended up admitting herself to a psychiatric hospital when she was 25.

The hospital admission was a turning point in Shelia's relationship with her Mom. "She finally realized that I was sick and needed help," said Shelia. "She and I talked all the time after that point about whatever I was going through," said Shelia. "My mom would research my diagnosis and ask me to bring her information from my therapist so she could understand what I was going through."

While her daughter was struggling with her mental illness, Shelia's mother was battling cancer. The cancer was spreading and she underwent chemo on a monthly basis to try and keep it under control. The cancer would eventually win, but before she died, Shelia's mother made her vow to remain committed and consistent with her mental health treatment. "Probably the moment that really changed my direction was the promise to my mom," said Shelia. "If not for that promise I honestly don't know if I would be here today."

Shelia initially started seeing a psychiatrist from out of town for medication and a local therapist for counseling. She started to look for a psychiatrist in the Salida area and was directed to West Central Mental Health Center where she enrolled for services. "I found the therapy at West Central the most effective of any I had ever gotten," said Shelia.

"Two factors have helped in my success. First, I committed to my therapy and didn't stop taking my medication. Second, is having the psychiatrist and therapist in the same clinic to discuss my progress and any changes that need to be made," she said. "I have a team looking out for my well being and they are committed to helping me."

Besides therapy and medication, group therapy has been another part of Shelia's recovery. "The Dialectical Behavior Therapy has been majorly helpful in learning new skills to handle everyday life issues," said Shelia. "Group therapy is a great resource in helping you realize that you aren't the only one going through these issues. Not feeling alone is huge."

Shelia wants other people who are dealing with mental illness to know that professional help is necessary for recovery. "Face the fear and go for help," said Shelia. "It takes commitment, hard work and the changes don't happen overnight, but if you are in it for the long haul, you can live successful with a mental illness."

"When I started receiving services at West Central I couldn't have even imagined my life being even a third as good as it is now," said Shelia. "My illness no longer controls my life. I now have tools and skills to make it through hard times and not let them put my life on hold," she said. "I am no longer a victim, I am a survivor and the future is open for me to live my life fully."

Mark Worthington

Mark Worthington is on a path that he didn't expect to walk. The past 10 years have changed his life, bringing trials and challenges he couldn't have imagined. Mark is living with mental illness. A reality he initially believed would end his life.

The signs and symptoms began in Mark's late twenties. He started experiencing problems in his marriage and having trouble holding down a job due to his behavior. Mark was obsessing, hallucinating, experiencing delusions such as paranoia, and having problems communicating in a logical way. As his symptoms and behaviors became more severe, he realized there were things happening that weren't normal. He could see signs of his life getting out of control but was afraid to admit the possibility he had a mental illness.

"I dreaded the thought of having a mental illness," said Mark. "I thought that having a mental illness would take my life away."

While living in Centennial with his mother and step-father in 2005, Mark was improperly diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and did not start seeing improvement with treatment. During a psychotic episode, Mark had an altercation with his step-father resulting in a restraining order being placed on him. Looking back, Mark sees this as a turning point in getting help. As part of his court restrictions due to the restraining order, Mark's visits with his daughter had to be supervised by a social worker. The restriction on Mark spending time with his young daughter was a powerful motivation for him to finally seek treatment.

His father, who lived in Canon City, believed that Mark could get proper help at West Central Mental Health Center and encouraged him to make the move. He enrolled in services at West Central Mental Health Center and, after being seen by the psychiatrist, he was properly diagnosed with Schizoaffective Disorder. Schizoaffective Disorder is a mental disorder characterized by recurring episodes of elevated or depressed mood, or simultaneously elevated and depressed moods that alternate or occur together with distortions in perception. Through proper diagnosis, medication and therapy, Mark finally began to see improvements in his life.

"Once I started treatment, I was finally able to acknowledge that I had a mental illness and recognize the erratic and sometimes dangerous behavior I had been living with for so long," says Mark. "I'm thankful for that turning point because I might not have ever realized I had a problem and gotten help."

Mark's initial treatment of therapy and medication stabilized him and he began taking part in other programs at West Central Mental Health Center such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) groups and Pathways to Recovery peer support group. He also goes to weekly NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) meetings, a grassroots mental health organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness.

"DBT has been very helpful. Also, the Pathways group is great for practical life things like finances, social interactions and cooking," says Mark. "Meeting other people in groups who are in the same situation and learning from each other is so helpful in recovery."

Mark has progressed from having to visit his daughter with a social worker present, to being able to have his daughter with him for extended visits with his parents. "Every day I get closer and closer to being in a place where I can have my daughter without supervision," says Mark.

Mark encourages people who need mental health treatment to step past the threshold of fear to get help. "You might fear being diagnosed with a mental illness but you can get past that fear through a combination of a good doctor and therapy," says Mark. "With treatment, you can have a successful life, just like everyone else."