From Struggle to Success: Lawson’s Journey to Independence & Stability with Accra

After years of failing to find supportive mental healthcare, Lawson made the courageous choice to move across the country to Duluth. What might seem like a random choice was actually very deliberate. In Duluth, Lawson was able to access Adult Rehabilitative Mental Health Services (ARMHS) and eventually connect with Accra.

“I just moved my whole life in pursuit of better mental health care. I was desperate to get help,” Lawson said.

After a challenging transition, Lawson formed a strong connection with his new ARMHS provider, who he’s now worked with for nearly a decade.

“My ARMHS worker now works for Accra, and we’ve been together eight years, and I’ve been seeing my ARMHS worker for two hours a week. I work with her on coping skills, applying things I’m learning in therapy,” Lawson explained.

Living independently in Duluth, Lawson attends the College of St. Scholastica, pursuing a degree in social work, while simultaneously working at the school bookstore.

“I’m actually going into the same field that helped me so much my whole life. I’m a social work student. I want to give back now to all those who gave so much to me since I am now on the path to recovery and wellness,” Lawson shared. “Thanks to Accra and the work of my ARMHS worker, I’ve maintained my housing, I’ve maintained my stability, they care about me getting the services I need and the help I need to succeed. I feel like if I’ve ever had a problem, Accra has always been there for me to solve it. I’m very fortunate that I had the opportunity to turn my life around like this.

Lawson’s Story – Transcript

Lawson: Hi, my name is Lawson I live in Duluth, Minnesota, and I’ve been working with Accra since 2022.

I grew up in a small town of Sandpoint, Idaho. I was committed to a state hospital for another suicide attempt; I’ve had 19. Duluth, Minnesota is one of the few places that offers treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder on an inpatient basis.

I moved to Duluth with a suitcase, and I just moved my whole life in pursuit of better mental health care. I was desperate to get help. I was gonna die if I didn’t. I went through a lot of trauma growing up, and it really affected me. I was drowning basically in depression.

Road to Wellness

Lawson: My previous ARMHS worker now works for Accra, and we’ve been together eight years, and I’ve been seeing my ARMHS worker for two hours a week. I work with her on coping skills, applying things I’m learning in therapy. A lot of it has been learning to handle anxiety. How do I manage depression.

I work part-time at the bookstore at UMD right across from my apartment. And I also am an ambassador for TRIO program at St. Scholastica where I attend college. I’m actually going into the same field that helped me so much my whole life. I’m a social work student. I want to give back now to all those who gave so much to me since I am now on the path to recovery and wellness.

In my spare time I like to crochet, it eases my anxiety and it makes me feel calm and gets my mind off things. This is actually a Trans Pride blanket. I’m working on a blanket that represents who I am and the pride colors of our flag.

I never expected to succeed living on my own, to be depression free, that mental health really can get better. I didn’t believe it. And thanks to Accra and the work of my ARMHS worker, I’ve maintained my housing, I’ve maintained my stability, they care about me getting the services I need the help I need and to succeed. I feel like if I’ve ever had a problem, Accra has always been there for me to solve it. I’m very fortunate that I had the opportunity to turn my life around like this.