For a long time, getting out of bed was one of Bridget Rogers’ biggest victories.
Depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) had become part of her daily life, affecting her energy, confidence and ability to feel fully present with the people she loved. Mental health challenges had touched generations of her family, and Bridget had spent years searching for care that felt right.
Before moving to North Carolina in 2013, she had started and stopped treatment more than once. She wanted help, but she had not yet found the kind of support that made her feel comfortable enough to keep going.
That changed when Bridget found Monarch.
Finding the Right Support
Bridget did not come to Monarch expecting a major life change.
At the time, she was helping her cousin get connected to mental health care. But while showing up for someone else, Bridget found herself considering a question she had asked before in different ways: Could this kind of support help her, too?
After years of managing depression and PTSD, and after past experiences with treatment that did not always feel easy to continue, Bridget connected with Monarch Nurse Practitioner Monica Fuller through Monarch’s Medication Management services.
What stood out to Bridget was that Monica didn’t just listen to her symptoms. She really heard her.
Together, they talked through Bridget’s history, what she was experiencing and what she needed from care. Monica helped her understand her medication, monitor side effects, stay consistent and know what to do if she missed a dose. Their regular visits gave Bridget space to ask questions, talk honestly and work toward a routine that fit her life.
“Monica Fuller has made a difference. It’s medication management, but it often feels like a brief therapy session,” Bridget said. “It’s been incredibly helpful.”
Over time, that steady support helped Bridget begin to trust the process and feel less alone.
Feeling Seen, Heard and Cared For
For Bridget, the biggest difference was not only the treatment itself. It was the way she was treated.
After years of trying to navigate mental health care, Bridget said Monarch felt different from places she had been before. She did not feel rushed through an appointment or reduced to a diagnosis.
“I have been to several facilities in the past, but this is the first place where I feel seen, heard and cared for as a person, not just treated as a patient,” Bridget said. “From the beginning, the staff treated me with kindness, patience and respect. They took the time to understand what I was dealing with, and that made a huge difference in my healing.”
Monarch staff also helped Bridget stay connected to care by reminding her about appointments, answering questions and helping remove barriers that could have made it harder to stay on track.
For someone who had once struggled just to get out of bed, each reminder, conversation and follow-up became part of a larger foundation.
Progress in Small, Meaningful Moments
Bridget’s goals were not about checking off major milestones or making dramatic life changes. She wanted something simpler and deeply meaningful: to feel well enough to live her life.
Over time, consistent mental health treatment helped her begin doing more of what brought her peace, including going to the beach.
For Bridget, being near the water helps her relax, reset and feel more like herself. Being able to go again is more than a fun outing. It is a sign of progress.
Bridget is also a mother of five and grandmother of three, and family remains at the center of her life. Since receiving care at Monarch, she said her loved ones have noticed that she is more willing to speak up when she needs support.
“It’s not that they see a change in my behavior,” Bridget said. “They’ve noticed that I’m more vocal and reach out when I’m not feeling well. I know that I can come to them and voice my thoughts.”
Instead of keeping everything inside, Bridget is learning to name what she feels and ask for help when she needs it.
One Question Can Be a Starting Point
Bridget knows what it feels like to wonder whether support will help. She also knows what it feels like to feel skeptical, uncertain or unsure where to begin.
Her advice is simple: do not wait until things feel unbearable.
“Don’t question if you think you need help. They’ll get you assessed,” Bridget said. “Start off slowly. If you’re skeptical about it, be honest with your provider.”
Her story reflects an important reminder: Mental health support does not have to begin with having everything figured out. Sometimes, it begins with one appointment, one honest conversation or one question:
Could this kind of support help me, too?
For Bridget, asking that question helped her move from surviving each day to participating more fully in her life.
And sometimes, healing looks like getting out of bed, calling someone you trust or standing near the ocean and realizing you made it there.
Could This Kind of Support Help You?
If you or someone you love is living with depression, PTSD or other mental health challenges, support is available.
Monarch provides medication management, outpatient therapy, virtual mental health services and other behavioral health services to help people take the next step toward feeling better.
To learn more about Monarch’s medication management and behavioral health services, visit Monarch’s Medication Management page or call (866) 272-7826 to get started today.