In light of the Covid-19 Pandemic, Michelle Massey-Barnes agreed to let me narrate her story rather than interview her. I am honored that she let me be her voice. Michelle shares her story about her son Logan and his diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, navigating our mental health system and the presenting challenges of the Covid-19 Pandemic of giving her son the care he needs.

"We just passed the one year mark of the month things started to completely fall apart. If I had known how deep and dark the year to come was going to be, I think I wouldn’t have made it through.

"I was away for work when the school called my husband and told him they were concerned about our 8th grade son, Logan. It was mid-Febuary, 2019, and Logan had not turned in any homework since returning to school after break. His attitude had completely changed and he was showing very little interest in school, friendships, or extracurricular activities.

"We were worried. We wanted help. In the year since then, we have honestly made very little process.

"I am sharing this story with you because I want you to know what it is like to navigate our mental health system. When people say our mental health system is broken, I want you to understand what it means. Although this is our story and the experiences of our family, I have talked with countless other families that have experienced similar and even more frustrating mental health situations.

"I'm sharing this story with you so you can begin to understand the incredible distances families need to travel in order to obtain services for their children. I want you to know because if everyone knows, maybe we can all play some small part and make change happen. If no one knows, nothing will ever change because no will know anything is wrong."

Fresh Ice-Water. Please Help Yourself: Michelle Massey Barnes