NCA Success Story: Finding Stability Amidst Mental Health Struggles
Mental health issues can often be just as severe and disabling as intellectual or developmental disabilities. Mental illnesses are also often overlooked and highly stigmatized, leading to individuals and their loved ones struggling to maintain safety and quality of life for the impacted individual.
At National Care Advisors, we work with numerous families and clients impacted by mental health struggles, assisting them in building the necessary structure and supports to achieve stability for all members of the family.
An adult individual, Alex, and his family were referred to NCA in July of 2025 in the midst of a crisis. Alex was struggling with severe mental health issues, including diagnosed Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia and ADHD. He suffered from recurring episodes of psychosis and auditory hallucinations, which made everyday life incredibly difficult for him and his parents to manage. When referred to NCA, Alex’s parents were struggling and desperate for support in stabilizing his life.
At the time of referral, Alex’s parents had purchased a home for him to reside safely in. However, due to the effects of his mental illness, he had inflicted extensive damage to the property. Police were regularly called to the home by neighbors and his parents, themselves, filed countless police reports due to his excessive threats of violence, all of which fell on deaf ears. Alex was unable to maintain compliance with his psychiatric medication and was repeatedly placed on involuntary psychiatric holds, only to be discharged within hours, creating a distressing and dangerous cycle for himself and his parents.
After a particularly stressful week, involving 3 involuntary psychiatric holds and concerning statements involving threats of violence on social media, Alex’s parents were at their wits end. They were referred to NCA for consulting and advocacy service. Their primary goal was to stabilize his living situation and ensure that he could receive the necessary therapy and psychiatric treatment on a consistent basis.
Assigned NCA Nurse Consultant, Cari sprang into action, applying for Long Term Medicaid and following through with the county case manager to ensure appropriate documents were submitted in a timely manner. She guided the family in the application process for the Home and Community-Based Services Community Mental Health Supports Waiver (CMHS). This waiver provides a safe and stable residential setting that includes Mental health group homes/assisted living. Cari coordinated with the medical teams at the previous mental health hospital and sober living home to obtain the appropriate documentation needed for the Mental Health Supports Waiver Application. She reestablished his psychiatric, primary care and dental providers and completed his application for SNAP benefits. Cari also coordinated with the administrator at the mental health group home to locate an appropriate placement for Alex in accordance with his unique needs and age.
After months of advocacy and complex coordination, the outcome for Alex has been outstanding. With Cari’s advocacy, Alex received Disability Determination with State approval, long-term care Medicaid approval and Mental Health Supports Waiver approval. He was successfully moved into a mental health assisted living home at the end of 2025 and has since been stable on his psychiatric medication, compliant with his medical appointments and cooperative with his ongoing SSI application. Alex enjoys living at his assisted living group home and has been making friends, participating in activities and making art again. His parents have been able to spend more time enjoying life, traveling and caring for their aging parents.
This outcome is an enormous success and can serve as a beacon of hope for those impacted in some way by mental illness. Thorough planning and advocacy combined with expert knowledge of the resources and systems in place to aid those who suffer from debilitating mental health issues can change lives, resulting in improved quality of life for impacted individuals and their loved ones.
If you have a client or family member impacted by mental health struggles, let National Care Advisors be the guiding light in times of distress and chaos. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help with your unique circumstances.