Parker used to live his days in a whirlwind of emotions. Although he liked to do many things typical of 10-year-old kids, such as building things, playing with Legos, drawing and playing with his friends, at other times he was very nervous, and his emotions would spiral into uncontrollable anger. Sometimes, the weight of the emotional struggles he was dealing with led him to contemplate a dark path.

Eventually, Parker’s mom, Ashley, sought care for him at Children’s Hospital Colorado, Colorado Springs, and got an appointment for him at the Pediatric Mental Health Institute at TherapyCare, Telstar. Parker started seeing a licensed professional counselor, who diagnosed him with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and anxiety. His counselor provided him with strategies to cope with his emotions and advised his family about what medication could help him deal with his internal struggles.

The care Parker received was extended to his family as well. His counselor worked with Parker’s parents to help them understand him better so they could support him more effectively. Because children’s mental health challenges often impact the entire family, with the guidance of Parker’s therapist, his parents also learned how to navigate the complexities of his conditions, fostering open communication and empathy within their home. They began to understand what he was going through and are now equipped to help him manage his mental health diagnoses.

Fueled by his own resilience and the care he received at Children’s Colorado Telstar Therapy Services, Parker, now 11, hopes that his story can help others facing mental health challenges and remind them that with the right support, they can overcome any obstacle they face. When he grows up, he wants to serve his country and be a Marine, just like his dad.