Gratitude Stories - Sadie
In 2020, during the first few months of the pandemic, Sonig Schiller’s then 11-year-old daughter, Sadie, was struggling with anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and disordered eating. And the social isolation associated with attending school remotely only worsened her symptoms.
“We were brand new to this mental health world, and it was really frightening at first,” Sonig shares.
As Sadie’s struggles with mood and body image began to increasingly affect her quality of life, her family insisted that she undergo treatment. It took months of searching for the right care before they found Bradley Hospital and quickly realized it was the best place for Sadie to heal. Her treatment included an inpatient stay and various types of outpatient therapy.
Sadie responded especially well to Bradley’s Mindful Teen Program, a six-month outpatient program that helps adolescents manage emotions and eliminate self-destructive behaviors.
"We are incredibly grateful for Bradley Hospital and for all of the clinicians and staff who work there to help children and teens who are suffering. We are just overwhelmed with the professionalism and the quality of care that we received."
– Sonig Schiller, whose daughter, Sadie, was treated at Bradley.
During her daughter’s treatment, Sonig received help, too. She attended Bradley’s 12-week Psychoeducational Psychotherapy (PEP) Parent Therapy Group, which provides tools and support – and made a world of difference for the family.
“Parents who are challenged with children who have mental health issues really need a space – a safe and comfortable space – to share stories, advice, sadness, and happiness with other parents,” Sonig says. “This group provided that for me.”
Now 14 years old, Sadie continues to receive outpatient therapy at Bradley and is “doing great” today, Sonig says. And the family is comforted by the fact that if she ever starts to struggle again, they now know exactly where to find help and support.