Holding her head up
Alycia came to Wyandot Center through the Crisis Clinic when she realized she was facing problems she couldn't handle on her own. Hallucinations, delusions and depression haunted her life. This was magnified by the fact that, as a young woman in her early 20s, Alycia had experienced a lot of personal trauma from "hanging with the wrong crowd." She said she was easily influenced and "didn't use my own brain to make decisions."

Working with her case manager, Alycia changed the course of her life. She's dealing with her mental illness, no longer doing recreational drugs, can anticipate mood swings and is better able to cope with stress. She's regained custody of her son and her sense of self-esteem.

"It's me holding my head up now," she said. "I believe my case manager is the reason that I became a better person." Alycia would like to be able to help other people going through what she has experienced and by sharing her story to let them know it will be okay if they seek help. She goes to S.I.D.E., Wyandotte County's consumer-run organization, and remains part of Wyandot Center's young adult program.

Comedy a healthy outlet
Thanks to Wyandot Center, Brad says that things are better in his life with family, friends and the community. "I'm not afraid to talk with people," Brad said, "or to stand up in front of a crowd of people and be a goof!"

Like he's done several times at open mike night at the Stanford & Sons Comedy Club in Kansas City, Kan. In the process, Brad has unleashed a hidden talent and discovered a new coping mechanism.

"I make people laugh by making fun of things I've done myself," Brad explained. "It's a way to escape inside myself and gain more insight into myself."

As a someone with a bipolar disorder, Brad draws on these particular life experiences to poke fun at himself and to make the audience laugh. "The most funny jokes come from life stories," he said.

Brad is respectful of persons with mental illness, and he's careful to explain that he's not making fun of the illness but rather the predicaments and complications it's presented in his life—relationship problems, compulsive spending, etc. His goal is to support people with mental illness.

He credits Wyandot Center with helping him realize that there are things he can do to be more in control of his illness. Brad has invited Ellen Bollinger, his case manager, and other Wyandot Center staff to his performance at the comedy club. The 37 year old would like to continue doing comedy and host fund-raisers that benefit the community and children.