Cameron | Spring Lake Ranch

Growth will come

My background includes nearly two decades of mental illness ranging from high school for social anxiety, to a psychiatric hospitalization, to continuing struggles to this day. I grappled a lot with the purpose of my life and often experienced suicidal ideations.

I was working and living solidly for a while; stable, but still hurting. I hit an endpoint in 2018 when I tried living with roommates in a city near home. It was one of my worst living experiences ever, including living on my own in college.

One day, I talked to my therapist who recommended Spring Lake Ranch. I visited, and ended up staying, although I didn’t want to at first. I ended up staying over two years, including my time at Eliot Transitional House.

SLR has improved my life tremendously; to this day I have learned so much about myself, life, and good people. The community here has a transformative, positive effect in helping you persevere through your problems.

In addition, the Ranch residents make the community together. It’s your job to do the personal work of your own mental illness recovery. Like anything, there are ups and downs but the program allowed me to overcome so many problems like isolation and social anxiety. Time spent at the Ranch allows you to mesh with other residents. Everyone’s path is different, which is a great part of the program.

I am living now at the townhouse in Rutland, and my daily life couldn’t be what it is without the help of the Ranch staff who promote an atmosphere of positivity and a welcoming environment.

I now live a life I never thought I could; thanks to the program I am able to manage being an independent, self-reliant adult.

My advice to residents struggling is that growth will come but it takes time and a willingness to get better. I highly recommend the Ranch for people who struggle with mental illness.

Cameron Resident