This marks month three of our series in which we feature a United Way Partner Agency’s client experience, demonstrating the impact that donations to United Way of Sheboygan County are making.  This month’s client experience was submitted directly by Mandy Bibo, Catholic Charities’ Director of Behavioral Health, as part of their annual application for Counseling & Behavioral Health Services program funding.

“Barb contacted Catholic Charities and requested therapy due to past concerns in her childhood and current health problems that were affecting her overall emotional health.

Barb is in her early 60s and has numerous and severe health problems. She also was emotionally abused by both parents throughout her childhood and physically abused/slapped in the ear by her mother such that she has hearing loss in her left ear.

Barb worked for many years in a cheese factory, however, was forced to retire early due to her medical condition. Currently Barb takes a minimum of 20 pills per day. One of the pills is currently an experimental drug that costs $20,000 a month which she must remain on for the rest of her life. If she is off the medication for more than an hour and a half she becomes violently ill and needs to be hospitalized.

Barb has indicated that her divorce, early forced retirement, medical concerns and the recent passing of her mother and father have affected her overall mood and affect. When Barb’s father passed away, her relationship with her siblings also became strained which was a factor that increased her depression. 

Barb has been a client of Catholic Charities for many years. Sometimes I am able to be of help to her directly with mental health treatment. Other times, I can be of help to her by referring her to other resources and often times United Way & related agencies.

We have utilized Grief Therapy with Barb to address the deaths of her parents and more recently the breast cancer of her sister. We have utilized Cognitive Behavior Therapy to change some of the specific negative thoughts that were creating problems in her relationships. We also introduced Conflict Resolution skills to handle future problems in a healthier manner.

Barb has come a long way in these many years and she is doing very well in processing her many losses she has endured. She continues with a very positive attitude into the future thanks to the emotional and practical supports of Catholic Charities.”