When a young woman—let’s call her Jessica—first stepped into our Spring Valley residence, she brought with her a deep desire to become the kind of mother every child deserves. But along with her hope, she carried the unseen burden of a mental health condition left untreated for far too long.

Her journey toward healing wasn’t immediate, and it wasn’t easy. It involved moments of uncertainty, setbacks, and perseverance. Jessica’s treatment plan included monthly injections, essential for stabilizing her symptoms—but access was not straightforward. The clinic she relied on couldn’t provide the medication, leaving her vulnerable to relapse.

That’s when our team at Good Counsel stepped in. We helped ensure she received her medication each month—at first by transporting her to the hospital ourselves, and later by coordinating home visits from a licensed nurse. It became a rhythm of care: reliable, consistent, compassionate. And through this support, Jessica began to reclaim her strength.

Mental health care is not an add-on to our mission—it is at the heart of it. Many of the women who find their way to Good Counsel have endured trauma, often in the form of abusive relationships or unstable living situations. Research reveals a staggering truth: approximately 4 in 5 women who suffer physical abuse also experience serious mental health struggles, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Survivors of intimate partner violence are more than twice as likely to develop a mental illness.

This May, in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we invite you to reflect with us on what healing really looks like—and how vital it is to the mothers we serve.

Healing is more than a diagnosis or a dose. It’s about being surrounded by people who see your dignity, even on your hardest days. When Jessica’s anxiety became overwhelming—especially as her next treatment approached—our staff offered quiet, calm, and constant encouragement. We cared for her child when she needed a moment of rest, offered her privacy when she felt overstimulated, and reminded her, again and again, that she was not failing—she was healing.

Eventually, with the loving encouragement of her family and the stability she gained through Good Counsel, Jessica made the courageous choice to move closer to her parents. Today, she is raising her child in a supportive, loving environment—one she once feared would never be possible.

Jessica’s story is a powerful reminder: when mothers are supported, lives are transformed.

This month and always, we lift up the resilience of the women we serve—and we thank you, our supporters, for making their healing journeys possible.

How You Can Help:
At Good Counsel, we offer more than shelter—we provide stability, mental health support, and a community of care that empowers women to begin again.

• Share our story. Let others know that help exists for pregnant women facing homelessness, trauma, or mental health challenges.
• Donate today. Your generosity brings healing within reach for mothers who need it most. http://goodcounsel.donorsupport.co/page/social
• Partner with us. Whether through prayer, service, or support, there are many ways to walk alongside our mission.

Your voice, your compassion, and your willingness to share this work can change lives. Thank you for believing in mothers like Jessica—and in the future they are building, one step at a time.

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