Multi-Systemic Therapy (MST) and family counseling services

A young person came to Youth Outreach Services (YOS) during a period of profound emotional distress, struggling with feelings of hopelessness and believing that their absence would lessen the burden on their family. Following a suicide attempt, the youth experienced a turning point and reached out to a trusted sibling for support. With encouragement from their brother, the youth disclosed their struggles to their father, who sought immediate medical assistance.

Through a referral from the youth’s pediatrician, the family engaged in Multi-Systemic Therapy (MST) and family counseling services. Participating in treatment together helped strengthen family relationships, improve communication, and create a more supportive home environment. The youth learned healthy coping strategies, developed skills to manage difficult emotions, and began to rebuild a sense of hope for the future.

At the six-month follow-up after discharge, the caregiver reported continued improvements in the youth’s school behavior and academic performance. Family communication and overall functioning have also strengthened significantly. Importantly, the youth had not engaged in any additional incidents of self-harm.

By the conclusion of services, the youth had gained the confidence and skills needed to navigate challenges more independently. They were actively participating in school and community activities, including attending prom and social events, and had begun exploring employment opportunities as they prepared for their senior year of high school. This progress reflects the lasting impact of evidence-based intervention, family engagement, and ongoing support in helping youth build resilience and achieve positive outcomes.

In Francis’s Words

“I was in a really bad place. I felt like it would be better for everyone if I were gone. Every day felt heavy, and I convinced myself that my absence would somehow make life easier for the people I loved. In a moment of overwhelming pain, I took some of my mom’s pills and went to bed hoping I wouldn’t wake up.

When I opened my eyes the next morning, I was immediately filled with regret. As difficult as life felt, I realized there were still things worth living for. With a lot of fear and uncertainty, I told my older brother what had happened. To my surprise, he insisted that we tell our dad.

I was terrified. My dad has always been more of a ‘suck it up’ type of person, and I didn’t think he would understand what I was going through. But instead of getting angry, he took me to see my pediatrician, who connected us with Multi-Systemic Therapy (MST) services.

Every week, my dad came to therapy with me. At first, it felt strange talking about my feelings in front of him, but over time things started to change. He began learning more about mental health and what teenagers can experience, and that helped him better understand me. Those sessions became an important turning point for our family. We communicated more openly, and I felt more supported than I had in a long time.

Through MST, I learned healthy coping strategies and gained tools to manage difficult emotions. I learned how to face my feelings instead of running from them. Most importantly, I found hope again. What started as one of the darkest periods of my life became the beginning of healing, stronger family relationships, and a future I could look forward to.”

In conclusion, the counselors and therapists at YOS played a critical role in helping Francis and her family navigate a period of crisis and begin the healing process. Through evidence-based MST services, compassionate support, and family engagement, Francis gained the coping skills and confidence needed to manage her mental health challenges, while her family developed a stronger understanding of how to support her. Today, Francis is thriving academically and socially, has remained free from self-harm, and is looking toward the future with hope, resilience, and a renewed sense of purpose.