Tim's Journal Is Launched by Phil Avila

When faced with the challenges of mental illness, I did what most people do: see a psychiatrist, see a psychologist.

I was working as an editor at The Wall Street Journal, and in the beginning, knew very little about mental illness.

Here’s one thing I didn’t know: Mental illness, in its many forms, affects nearly one in four Americans every year. So you probably know someone in your inner circle of family and friends who is struggling.

But like me, they probably know little about the vast array of mental health services available in Union County.

That quickly changed in 2004 when my son, Tim, then 22, was diagnosed with schizophrenia and spent time in several psychiatric hospitals.

Our journey through the mental health system has taught us a lot. What stands out most is the incredible care he has received from countless mental health workers. I was so impressed that I became one of them.

I worked for two years as a peer counselor on the Mental Health Association in New Jersey’s Peer Recovery WarmLine. Then, I joined Bridgeway Rehabilitation’s Residential Intensive Support Team as a recovery coach to help people coming out of psychiatric hospitals get established in the community. I went on to work as a family support partner for the Family Support Organization of Union County, assisting families with children with emotional and behavioral issues.

I was inspired to go back to school, and earned a graduate certificate in Psychiatric Rehabilitation from UMDNJ.  I also took the Family-to-Family course offered by the Union County chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness and became this tireless organization’s newsletter editor.

My colleagues were amazing. They embraced the notion of recovery, that no matter how persistent or severe the illness, people could build for themselves a meaningful life in the community with support.

So here I am, ready to tell their stories. I want to share with you who these people are and how what they do touches our community. This is a place where you will learn about services you never knew existed. What I hope to do is put a face on mental health services in Union County.

Will it reduce stigma? I certainly hope so. I hope that after reading about the people who offer these services, those struggling won’t have to think twice about seeking help.

That can only be a good thing.

In case you’re wondering about Tim, he’s doing fine. After spending seven years in a SERV group home, he recently moved into a supervised, shared apartment. He attends a day program at the Occupational Center of Union County, and spends the weekends at our home in Rahway. He is an amazing human being and has a great network of friends.

I couldn’t ask for a better son. This blog is dedicated to him.