“At the age of 15, I was sad and angry all the time. Three years earlier my parents divorced and I had a hard time with that. I felt like I was in this deep, dark pit without a rope or ladder to help me get out. My mom made an appointment with the doctor to see if there was any help for me. The doctor put me on Paxil but for the six months I was on it I felt pretty miserable. I also was having some bad side effects. I was then switched to Wellbutrin for nine months but had a seizure. It feels like I’ve been on six or seven different meds for my entire life. I always felt like I was in a fog. Everything was always so hazy. I couldn’t stand feeling that way—and I felt that way constantly.

Six months ago, I went in to see my primary care doctor. While I was there I saw a brochure about the DIAMOND program. I went up to the front desk to ask about it. After discussing the program with my doctor, I was assigned to Laura, a care manager. Today, I see a regular counselor, keep in contact with my care manager and primary doctor, and take the medication prescribed by the program’s consulting psychiatrist. The constant follow-up by my care manager is really helping me.

Now, I want to get the word out about depression and DIAMOND. The program saved my life.”

Jeff, patient, Family HealthServices Clinic, St. Paul