A New Dawn: Amy Callahan’s Path to Recovery with Monarch’s Tailored Care Management Program

Breaking the Stigma of Mental Illness 

Everything changed when Amy met Dr. Robert McHale, psychiatrist and medical director at Monarch. He was the first to truly understand her condition. “Dr. McHale took away all the labels and got to know ME,” Amy says, referring to him as her “first hero.” 

Amy’s life had been a series of hardships, marked by abusive relationships, homelessness, and the devastating loss of her sister 11 years ago. These experiences left her grappling with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and seeking relief in alcohol and drugs. “I was a full gypsy, living like a dandelion in the wind, going wherever my life circumstances took me,” Amy recalls. The tremors and unsteady walk caused by her mental health disorder often led to misdiagnoses and stigmatization. “As part of my condition, I had tremors and staggered as if I was drunk, so each time I sought help, I was labeled as an alcoholic or drug addict, even though I knew that wasn’t my issue,” she explains. 

With the correct diagnosis from Monarch and proper medications, Amy no longer needed to turn to alcohol for relief. This was the beginning of her path to recovery. 

Reconnecting with Family Support: A Catalyst for Mental Health Recovery 

Amy’s life took a significant turn when she reached out to her mother, Brenda Williams, after years of estrangement due to embarrassment and shame. “I swear one day it was like a slap from God. I was homeless, sitting there with my Gracie Mae (her now deceased dog), thinking about how I couldn’t get anything right and ‘why me?’ when all of a sudden, it was like a clap of thunder that said to me, ‘you have to walk the walk to talk the talk,’ and after that day, I was determined to make a change,” Amy recalls. Brenda, Amy’s steadfast supporter, immediately drove to Tennessee to bring her daughter home. 

“Safety is a choice,” Brenda says. “Sometimes we get so overwhelmed with life’s circumstances that we end up going down a path of isolation and wind up not understanding we have choices.” Brenda attributes Amy’s substantial progress to the support from Monarch, stating, “Things have changed substantially for Amy, and 90% of that is due to support from Monarch.” 

Embracing Tailored Care Management 

Amy’s introduction to Monarch’s TCM Program marked another pivotal point in her recovery. She was paired with Care Manager Andrea Merriman, who she affectionately refers to as “Lady A.” Andrea’s support and encouragement were instrumental in Amy’s early stages of recovery and continue to be a source of strength today. “My providers and support from Monarch and family all became a team, and my recovery wouldn’t be the same without it,” Amy says. 

Andrea helped Amy and Brenda navigate lingering legal issues and assisted them when Amy became part of a program through Community Link, ensuring Amy’s long-term stability. Andrea’s approach involved the whole family in Amy’s recovery, recognizing that family members also need support to understand how best to help their loved ones who are struggling. “It’s like baking a cake, and we are the ingredients,” Brenda explains, highlighting the importance of family involvement. 

Emotional Support Animal Aids in Recovery  

Amy’s beloved companion, Gracie Mae, who had been with her through the hardest times, passed away during her recovery process. Despite her initial reluctance, Andrea encouraged Amy to get another dog as an Emotional Support Animal (ESA). Six months later, Amy welcomed MaeLing, her new ESA, into her life. “Gracie Mae helped me make it through the hard times of my past, and MaeLing is my future,” Amy says.  

MaeLing assists Amy with grounding and deep pressure therapy to offer comfort and help reduce anxiety. Grounding helps distract Amy during moments of anxiety or panic by redirecting her attention from anxious thoughts to the present moment. Deep pressure therapy, or “compression,” involves MaeLing applying gentle pressure through physical contact, which helps calm the nervous system, reduce anxiety and promote relaxation. These techniques are particularly beneficial for managing PTSD and Panic Disorder.  

Beyond her recovery, Amy has discovered and embraced her creative talents. She repurposes fabric and turns blankets into coats and hats for the homeless, a skill she developed while living on the streets to keep Gracie Mae and herself warm. She also paints as a form of therapy and is currently working on a mural on a fence where she and her mother often chat. 

Amy dreams of opening a “working farm” that serves as a safe haven for women who are homeless or suffering from mental illness due to domestic violence. “When you are in domestic violence situations, you are often isolated, leaving you without learning skills and turning to unhealthy habits. The farm would be a place where they can heal and develop healthy skills for the future,” she envisions.