At age 13, Ava was hospitalized after attempting to end her life by suicide. Although her physical injuries were minor, the emotional impact was profound. Her parents, caught up in a difficult divorce and financial stress, hadn’t realized how much their daughter was hurting until they’d almost lost her.
After her release, Ava was placed in a residential program. There, she shared that ongoing bullying at school had left her feeling worthless and hopeless. In collaboration with her Behavioral Health case worker, Ava was referred to FCNI’s Full-Service Partnership (FSP) program for added support in her transition home.
Through FSP, Ava began individual and family therapy with a dedicated therapist, while her parents worked with a family therapist to learn how to co-parent to Ava’s specific needs. FCNI Support Specialists also helped the family practice coping strategies and adopt better systems to support Ava in her transitions between their separate households.
The journey wasn’t easy. There were setbacks, including two more hospitalizations for self-harm brought on by persistent conflicts at home. But Ava’s team continually showed up with consistent, compassionate care. And Ava’s parents remained committed to healing alongside her and improving their skills so they could provide Ava with the family unit she needed.
Over time, circumstances shifted: custody disputes were resolved, financial pressures eased, and Ava started fresh in a new school. Most importantly, though, through both individual and family therapy, they all worked on healing and being more present and supportive of one another, which helped Ava feel safe and gave her a deeper sense of belonging.
Though challenges remain, Ava and her family now face them with more understanding, stronger skills, and renewed communal strength—proving that recovery, while not the same for everyone, is possible for everyone.
