Dayton, Ohio: August 7, 2009. Nikita remembers the day she came for treatment and the voices in her head sent her out of the building as she left her children behind. She remembers that she “felt like (she) was dying” when she first went to Franciscan Medical Center for help with her illness. As for the medications she now takes on a daily basis, she acknowledges “they totally saved (her) life.” Battling both hallucinations and panic attacks, Nikita has been in and out of various hospitals and treatment centers – including Franciscan and the Community Living Center (both since closed). But eight years ago, she found support at Eastway Behavioral Healthcare where she gets counseling, case management and medication in one central location. She now comes to Eastway on a daily basis for her medications and needed support. Through Eastway, Nikita was matched with Megan Mundt, a case manager who provides support and guides Taylor through each step needed to move closer to rehabilitation. For many years, Nikita unsuccessfully moved from group home to group home, but for a year now she has been in her own

apartment provided by Eastway’s housing services. Mundt worked with her to find a landlord, discussed how to cover rent, and provided support by going with Nikita to sign the lease. Nikita is re-learning how to care for herself, cook her own meals, and run a household. Recently, Mundt and Nikita went shopping together to find furniture to fill Nikita’s apartment. Mundt has only been working with Nikita for a year now, but she sees great steps. Mundt says, “Helping her to regain her independence and witnessing her progress not only makes me proud of Nikita, but helps me to take pride in my own work.”

Nikita and her brother have had a strained relationship, as her children are currently in her brother’s custody. However, as she has gotten healthier and controlled her schizophrenia, her family relationships have grown as well. Regarding her brother, Nikita says, “We see that we need each other.” Although Nikita has not regained custody of her children, she visits with them every Sunday for a family dinner. Nikita’s next small steps include getting a driver’s license and finding a job, but she has high aspirations for the future. Thankful for the help she’s received at Eastway, Nikita wants to go back to school and become a case manager. Mundt has clearly made a difference in her life; as it’s been said before: “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.”

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