Facing mental health challenges alone can be devastating, but thanks to organizations like KVC, families can find the support and connections they need. 

When Darci and Daniel first sought help for their son Ren, they were exhausted, overwhelmed and running out of answers. Ren had struggled with emotional and behavioral challenges from a very young age. Adopted shortly after birth, his early trauma continued to impact him as he grew.

By just four years old, Ren was struggling with frequent meltdowns and aggression. Despite their concerns, Darci and Daniel often felt dismissed when they tried to seek support. 

“There was a lot of this stuff that we were seeing early on that nobody else was really seeing,” Daniel shared.

They found themselves feeling isolated and unsure where to turn. Some professionals told them Ren would eventually grow out of his behaviors. Others minimized what the family was experiencing altogether.

“I’ll be honest with you, it felt hopeless to me,” Darci remembers. 

But Darci and Daniel knew their son needed more support, and they knew their family could not continue carrying the weight of these challenges alone. Hear how Ren’s story changed with the right support from KVC.

Dealing With Youth Mental Health Struggles Can Feel Lonely, But You’re Not Alone 

Families like Ren’s are far from alone. Across the United States, millions of children and teens are experiencing mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, trauma-related conditions and behavioral disorders.

The numbers tell the story: 46% of Americans will meet the criteria for a diagnosable mental health condition sometime in their life. Half will develop conditions by age 14. Yet many families still struggle to access the care their children need.

For parents and caregivers, the experience can feel incredibly lonely. There is sometimes pressure to manage everything privately, or fear that asking for help will lead to judgment from others. But mental health challenges are not a reflection of bad parenting, and healing cannot happen through love alone.

“One thing we learned through this whole thing is that you cannot love the trauma out of a kid.” -Daniel 

That realization became a turning point for Ren’s family. Children who have experienced trauma or deal with mental health issues often need specialized support that goes beyond what even the most loving caregivers can provide on their own. Early intervention, compassionate care and family-centered treatment can help children build coping skills and create stronger family relationships.

For families in crisis, accessible mental health care can be life-saving. That’s what Darci and Daniel found when they connected with Camber Mental Health, a nonprofit part of the KVC Health Systems network that serves thousands of children and adolescents with immediate, compassionate mental health support. 

Ren & His Family Find Hope at Camber 

As Ren’s mental health struggles became more severe, he experienced a crisis that led to inpatient hospital stays. During these moments, Ren found it very difficult to feel safe or understood.

Eventually, the family found support through KVC Health Systems, which included a long-term stay at Camber’s psychiatric residential treatment facilities (PRTFs).

For the first time, Ren and his parents felt truly seen and supported. “They changed the trajectory of our family,” Darci shared.

Here, Ren met his therapist, Kara, who immediately focused on building trust and strengthening the family as a whole. KVC’s approach emphasizes trauma-informed treatment, individualized support and strong family involvement so children and caregivers can heal together.

“Ren, while he was super positive, was very angry,” recalled Kara. “As a therapist, specifically for Ren facing this big chance of going into foster care and going into the system, I was very goal-oriented. I thought, ‘I’m getting this kiddo home.’”

Kara worked closely with Ren and his parents during family therapy sessions to help them better understand his diagnosis, recognize signs of overwhelm and develop coping skills that worked for his unique needs.

“Kara did a really good job of allowing us space to heal, allowing us space to process and take a breather,” shared Daniel. 

During Ren’s treatment, Kara learned that certain sensory experiences really helped Ren feel calmer and more aware of his emotions. She introduced tools like a weighted vest, kinetic sand and chewing gum to help him feel safe and grounded during stressful moments.

One day during a family therapy session, Kara noticed Ren becoming overwhelmed. She offered him kinetic sand and gum, and almost immediately, his body language changed.

“This is when I knew that we were making a lot of progress,” Kara recalled. “You could just see his body relax and him go back down to baseline.”

The Impact of Healing Connections 

Ren stayed in treatment for seven months. During that time, not only did he learn new ways to handle his emotions, but his entire family began healing together.

“Camber saved our family.” -Darci 

By the end of his stay, Ren was able to spend time with his whole family in a small visiting room without becoming overwhelmed, something that would have felt impossible before treatment.

Bringing Ren home from his stay at Camber was an emotional moment. His parents were so moved seeing so many staff members come out to celebrate his progress and say goodbye.

“It was so cool to see how many people poured into him,” Darci shared.

Today, Ren’s family knows healing is an ongoing journey. There are still difficult moments, but they now have tools, support and hope for the future.

One of the biggest changes has been seeing Ren recognize and communicate when he’s starting to feel upset. During a recent family outing to a restaurant filled with loud conversations and televisions, Ren calmly told his parents, “This is too much for me. I can’t be here.”

For Darci and Daniel, moments like these represent tremendous growth.

“With the help that we’ve received and the tools that they have given us, Ren and I’s relationship is so much better,” shared Darci. 

“He told me he loved me for the first time in six years.” -Darci 

Every Child Deserves the Right Support

Today, Darci and Daniel are so proud of Ren and know he’s going to have a positive impact. Their story is a reminder that children facing mental health challenges are much more than their hardest moments. With the right support, compassion and treatment, children can heal, grow and thrive.

“He’s an incredibly amazing kid and who I believe is really going to change the world.” –Daniel 

“We really want to make these kiddos feel like they have a purpose in the world — that they will have a bright future,” said Kara. “Their kid years or adolescent years or teenage years do not define their potential.”

Mental wellness does not happen alone. Every child, teen and family deserves access to compassionate mental health support that meets their unique needs.

KVC Health Systems provides a continuum of mental health services designed to support children and families at every stage of their healing journey, from outpatient services and assessments to inpatient and residential treatment programs. This work is made possible by the generous partners and donors who support our mission. Donate to KVC today and be a life-changer for the children and families in your community. 

Additional Resources:

• What Does a Mental Health Crisis Look Like?
• Neurodivergent Minds Need Different Support. Here’s What Helps
• The 5 Most Common Mental Disorders in Children
• How to Talk to Children About Mental Health and Suicide
• Guides to Youth Mental Health Conditions and Diagnoses
  
• Free Mental Health Assessment