Michelle Gonzales-Reed
Dajon was a true mama’s boy. His mother Michelle, a devoted single mom, adored him. When Dajon was 15 he started showing signs of mental illness. By the age of 18, his personality was disintegrating. He started hearing voices and even tried to jump off of an 11th floor building. After an official diagnosis of schizophrenia, Michelle did everything she could to get Dajon the help he needed to live a stable life. What are the options for a family seeking help from the system? We explore the promises and pitfalls of caring for the mentally ill, and the toll it can take on those who love them.
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In this episode:
Dajon’s entrance into the world.
The initial indicators that Dajon was struggling with his mental health.
Dajon is diagnosed with Schizophrenia.
The trajectory of his mental health post diagnosis.
Michelle receives devastating news.
Dealing with the grief of losing her son and what brings her hope.
LINKS & RESOURCES:
LinkedIn: Michelle Gonzales-Reed
Personal Advocacy Website: My Beloved Dajon Website
YouTube Channel: Let’s Talk with Dr. Michelle
The Jed Foundation (JED) Resources:
Wise Words:
As a single parent, it was hard and I didn't have a lot of family because my mom died when I was young and I didn't really have extended family either. So Dajon was like a cheerleader to me, you know? I remember at times I might be crying because I had bills to pay or things to do, and he would tell me, it's gonna be okay mama.
We went from being super close to being like I was the enemy and sometimes I couldn't say anything right. I couldn't do anything right. And he was always angry at me no matter what I did. It was really hard because I was trying to do everything I could.
And the reality is that he had county services and a case manager, but it was basically like having nothing. They'd go pick Dajon up for his medication appointment and Dajon would hear voices so he wouldn't respond to the doorbell sometimes. So if he wasn't opening the door right away, they'd leave and he'd miss his medication appointment and he wouldn't have medications.
It was the ups and the downs. It was the constant, won't take his medication. It was the landlord calling me that she's gonna probably have to evict him because he's running outside naked, or he's saying people are chasing him and he's scaring the other residents. And knowing that if he got evicted, it would be difficult for me to keep him stabilized and not have the younger boys scared in the house and have him here, that there weren't a lot of places to go. There was no other support. And I had already gone through the system. They kept releasing him, so I felt like I was out of options. I was just limited in every way and I just didn't know what to do anymore.
Mental illness doesn't discriminate. It could be anybody, it can happen to anyone.