Marcella's Residential Treatment

“Untreated depression is the number one cause of suicide among teenagers. . . .”  -Teenhelp.com

I watched helpless, as mental illness began to manifest in my daughter in the fall 2014, the start of her senior year. For the first three years of high school, Marcella was a great academic student (3.8 GPA), active in competitive cheer and lacrosse, and passionate about art. She truly excelled in that area, winning numerous awards.

While she was completing college applications, Marcella began to experience anxiety about her future. This was the trigger for her depression. Although she was accepted into the University of Michigan’s Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design and Hope College (Holland, Michigan), the decline in her mental health resulted in a decline in her academic performance. Instead, she attended the School of Arts Institute of Chicago. However, the depression worsened. She eventually had to leave SAIC, because they were concerned about her safety. I brought her back home.

We have been pursuing treatment for her, and it has been a difficult and emotional journey. Our family has supported Marcella every step of the way, and she has given us permission to share her journey: struggling with depression and overcoming obstacles for receiving adequate mental health treatment.

Marcella has been in on-going outpatient therapy for the past two years. She has had two in-patient hospitalizations, one of which was partial hospitalization (a day program recommended by insurance). Once we arrived, the psychiatrist recommended in-patient hospitalization immediately.

Marcella needs more intense care. Fortunately, we have found the right treatment, a residential center at Rogers Memorial Hospital. She is participating in the FOCUS , 45-60 day, program that specializes in depressive disorders. These are the benefits she’s receiving:

·         Group therapy

·         Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) & Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

·         Art therapy

·         Recreation therapy

·         Nutrition education

·         Medication management

·         Psychiatric treatment

·         Family therapy 

Marcella reported that just after two weeks, these benefits have decreased her suicidal ideation, lowered her depression and anxiety, and increased her energy levels. Rogers is equipping Marcella with lifelong skills to manage the triggers for depression on her own. A life vision board and self-soothing kit are a couple of tools she has already created. The cost of this program is $30,000 for only 30 days.

Priority Health Insurance has denied authorization for her residential treatment.  We appealed twice and we were denied.  Roger’s needs to have this payment in full immediately. If payment is not received, Marcella’s treatment will be disrupted (i.e., she will be discharged), and she will have to return home.

Our family is distressed about the insurance denial and the potential of early discharge. While searching for answers, I discovered the Parity Law  that is supposed to protect those with mental illness from insurance discrimination. 

To date, we have invested nearly $10,000 in Marcella’s mental health. Our goal is to raise $30,000 to cover the next 30 days. We are asking that you help us defray the cost of her residential treatment. Please help Marcella complete her treatment, so that she may successfully reach her full potential.

If you would like to contribute directly to Roger’s your may write a check, put Marcella Soto-Schipper on the memo line and mail to:

Rogers Memorial Hospital–Oconomowoc
c/o Sue Hogan
34700 Valley Road
Oconomowoc, WI 53066

We thank you in advance for your love and support.  We covet your prayers as we seek complete healing for our daughter.

Blessings,

Matt and Jeanette Schipper

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer” Romans 12:12