Clara
When I think back to my lowest point in life, it felt like I was held down and captured, very isolated. Everything was black and white.
My name is Clara Tibo. I’m 18 years old and I’m from Columbus, Georgia. 5 years ago, I did not think my life was possible. I felt very captured and held down by the thoughts I was having. The ways I tried to manage what I was feeling and the thoughts that I was experiencing were unhealthy ways, as far as doing impulsive things and self-harming. What helped me decide I needed treatment at Skyland Trail was definitely the amount of hospitalizations I was having. I think maybe around five.
There were so many people there that cared about me and wanted me to get better. It was really left up to me to decide if you’re going to keep going through this or you’ve got to get better. And obviously I chose to get better and put in the hard work and everything it took. Got on the right medications and I had a whole different mindset about life and was really motivated to complete the rest of my treatment. The music therapy actually really helped me. I learned how to play different instruments and I really benefited from it and I carried that outside of Skyland as well as CBT, cognitive behavioral therapy every day helped me a lot.
The thing about mental health is everybody struggles with it at some point. It’s a never ending thing. There’s not a magic wand. I’m at a better place where I’m equipped with what I need and how to handle the thoughts and emotions that I’m dealing with.
Me and my parents have gotten a lot closer. It’s become easier to come home after school and say, “Hey, mom, I’m really depressed today. I need help with this or, I need to do this.” Today, I would say I am most grateful for the decision that my parents made for me to put me in Skyland Trail. And every person at Skyland Trail and the help I received, without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today and who I am. To just have supported me through everything and really brought me back to life. After Skyland Trail, I felt and feel more free.
Some of my hopes for the future are that I continue to use my skills to help me, but most importantly, I want to help other people as well. I’m very motivated to spread the word about mental health and try and end the stigma. To anyone hesitant about going to a treatment center like Skyland Trail, do it. I’d say just go ahead and do it. No matter how scared you are or how much you think you don’t need it, by the end you will be so glad and thankful that you did that.