Steve is a 48 year old male referred to TFC by the Department of Social Services. After losing his construction job, Steve spent over a year seeking another position with no success. Finally, he sought financial support from social services. During his intake interview, Steve became despondent and indicated to the DSS worker that he did not want to live any longer. The DSS worker immediately referred Steve to TFC’s Psychiatric Clinic. Steve was seen by the psychiatrist who gave him sample medications for that evening as well as a prescription to be filled in TFC’s Community Pharmacy. Steve was also given a voucher for lab work at Park Ridge Hospital. Steve had difficulty reading the instructions he was given because he had lost the glasses he needed for reading. We referred Steve to the Lion’s Club for assistance getting glasses; we also referred him to a primary care physician for ongoing care. Due to the intercession of the alert DSS worker and TFC, Steve’s depression is improving, and his vision is again corrected with glasses. Steve has a primary care physician, who continues to follow Steve’s medical and mental health needs based upon the treatment plan recommended by TFC’s volunteer psychiatrist. No longer despondent, Steve wrote to TFC: “Thank you for everything you have done to help me. God Bless!”
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