Young woman copes with mental illness

CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) - It took the help of a young woman's community, along with her mother's support, to help the 19-year-old make the most of her life, despite a crippling mental illness.

Lennah Welch's mother, Dr. Nancy Welch remembers Lenna's early episodes.

"One point, she broke the glass in her room and was throwing glass out in the yard and being very threatening and at those points is when we would need to call the police," Dr. Welch said.

Dr. Welch is Chesapeake's health director. She knew how to navigate the system, got her daughter into the right programs with the best counselors, but even with connections, she said it was difficult.

"I needed help. What could I say... I needed help," Dr. Welch said.

The single mother needed and village and wasn't afraid to admit it.

Family friend Silvio Mancone Dr. Welch's willingness to let others help made it easier for neighbors and church members to step in.

Several neighbors offered safe haven, homes where Dr. Welch could send her son if Lennah had a meltdown. Others, who couldn't physically step in, sent Lennah moral support.

"Three or four shoe boxes of cards from people I don't even know," Lennah said.

The Welch family's plea is for more people to put aside their pride, fear or whatever holds them back because those who ignored stigma and imagined the possibilities have made Lennah the young woman she is today.

A college student, aspiring artist and, as she proclaims, a well-adjusted person.

"Hey, I'm a cool person, I'm still cool, I have a normal life, I'm not condemned," Lennah told 10 On Your Side.

If you are worried about a person who may be experiencing a mental health crisis and you are not sure how to help, the experts at the Community Services Board in Norfolk advise you to call the mental health crisis line. 

Each city has a 24-hour crisis line and trained staff can help you determine the best way to help - or they can directly intervene.

You can also read this snippet from a book Dr. Welch has written which she anticipates will be published summer 2013:

Alec, born premature to a substance-abusing mother, spent the early part of his life swathed in a blanket cocoon almost devoid of human touch.  Found on the streets at age four or five, Alyona, a bellicose survivor, had been returned to the orphanage by her Italian adoptive family after only 6 weeks due to her aggressive behavior.  The antagonist in this saga is the history of abuse and abandonment.  These Ukrainian born children were adopted at age 6 years by Nancy, and thus began their tumultuous road to recovery.  Alyona and Alec had to change their core persona; they had to move from savage to civil.  Nancy had to endure indescribably volatile behaviors.  Literally, through blood, sweat and tears they have emerged as a bonded, healing and healthy family. Their story affirms the hope of healing through commitment, hard work, extensive family and friend support, a “never quit” attitude and an unyielding resilience and focus.  This book will arouse a riveting mosaic of emotions from anger and frustration to laughter and bewilderment; but a constant underpinning is Nancy’s unstoppable hope and belief in the children.