Sam spent most of his adult life in state mental hospitals in four different states. Psychotic and self-destructive behaviors made it difficult for him to obtain services outside a hospital.

Last January, multiple providers met to coordinate services to move Sam into the community. He was placed in a men's residential facility at the local mental health authority, with round-the-clock supervision and daily involvement by multiple service providers.

Today, Sam is celebrating his one-year anniversary out of the state hospital and is living in his first apartment. Services through the mental health system have become less intensive.

Sam credits the local authority staff for supporting his goals and even helping him return to school by arranging for a used desk and schoolbooks. While he still struggles occasionally, Sam has direction and hope and is making progress toward his biggest goal — living a productive life in the community.

A true story from Weber Human Services, Ogden, UT