Sometimes you might think you’ve heard it all and know it all. But then you come into Envision one day and learn something new. Those moments have helped me deal with stress and manage it when I’m out in the community and at work, too.” – Tony
SAYING HELLO TO “THE NEW ME” Tony knows when to step away and take a deep breath. If he’s having a bad day, he knows he can come to the staff, let them know what’s on his mind, and together they can decide if it’s better for Tony to maybe go home, then come back fresh and ready to go the next day. It was not always like this. “The ‘old me’ used to get angry, have outbursts, throw things, and scream,” Tony says matter-of-factly. He struggled to control his anger and had cycled through a number of housing and treatment programs, none of which had made a significant difference.
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Then he came to Envision Unlimited, where group, art, and music therapies — combined with medication management and training — have truly transformed Tony’s life. He applies what he learns in therapy to his work and personal life, taking an active role in treating his mental illness. Before Envision, Tony didn’t want to tell people that he had a mental illness. Growing up, it was difficult for Tony’s father to admit that his son had a problem, but Tony’s stepmother knew that something was “wrong.” Tony is grateful for her initial intervention many years ago, and today he enjoys a positive relationship with his family.
