Last summer, Nathan and Isla noticed a troubling shift in their son, Colston*. Once an energetic, straight-A student athlete, he became increasingly withdrawn. He spaced out during conversations, lost interest in things he once loved, and began sleeping far more than usual. They connected him with a counselor, but then Colston confided something no parent is ever prepared to hear. He was considering suicide.
“We weren’t sure where to turn,” said Nathan. “Our son seemed to have everything going for him. Watching him go from happy and full of life to contemplating suicide was heartbreaking.”
After seeking help from a psychiatrist, Colston attempted to take his own life. The situation led to police involvement and his admission to a hospital, where he was placed in the criminal psychiatric ward and locked to a bed.
“The entire process felt dehumanized,” Nathan said. “He wasn’t seen as a young person in crisis, he was just another patient in the system.”
Colston’s struggles continued when he was discharged. Then, during another severe mental health episode, Nathan and Isla discovered the Crisis Receiving Center (CRC) at St. Joseph’s Villa. The moment they walked in, they saw relief on their son’s face.
“It was night and day from the hospital,” Isla said. “The staff treated us like family. They listened, guided us through the process, and made us feel understood – not judged.”
Colston found immediate support at the CRC, where he received a comprehensive assessment and crisis intervention services. Based on his needs, staff recommended continued care at the Villa’s Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU). Although it was a tough decision for Nathan and Isla to have him stay for two additional weeks, they trusted it was the most effective path for his recovery.
At the CSU, Colston found a new sense of connection. He bonded with peers who understood his struggles, and for the first time, he felt safe expressing his emotions openly in a group setting. Nathan and Isla also say that staff also made a genuine effort to learn about his interests, like dance and theater, and encouraged him to embrace them as outlets for self-expression and healing.
“He did a complete 180. He’s like a completely different kid,” Nathan said. “He still has tough days, but he’s learned tools to manage them. He journals, meditates, and knows how to ask for help now.”
Thanks to the guidance and care Colston received at the CRC and CSU, he and his family walked away with a clear treatment plan and a renewed sense of hope. They now know that, should they ever need support again, the Villa will be there to help.
*Names changed to protect privacy
CRC IN THE NEWS
- Crisis Receiving Center in Henrico celebrates first year of free youth mental health support – NBC12
- ‘We got our child back’: Parents say Henrico’s Crisis Receiving Center helped save son during mental health crisis – ABC8
- St. Joseph’s Villa youth crisis center celebrates 1st anniversary – Virginia Public Media
