Wayne first walked through Santé’s doors more than thirteen years ago. Rather than coming for himself, he came as support for his younger brother, who had been court-ordered into treatment following a hospitalization. Wayne knew his brother wouldn’t go alone, so he went with him, as big brothers often do.
Little did Wayne know, that simple decision would change everything. Not for his brother, but for himself.
As Wayne sat in sessions, listened to other consumers share their stories, and spent time in a space where people spoke honestly about their struggles, something clicked. He began to recognize parts of himself that he needed to face. Being a disabled veteran, a constant caregiver, and a son carrying years of responsibility was taking its toll on his mental health. Like so many, Wayne had adapted to a lifestyle of constantly putting others first and being the man other people expected him to be.
“I realized I had problems too,” Wayne shared. “Problems I wasn’t dealing with.”
That realization didn’t come from tuning into a podcast or booking a virtual therapy session, but rather from being present and connected through in-person care. Wayne continually sings the praises of the clinicians and counselors who looked him in the eye and spoke to him as a whole person. It was as if they were seeing the potential he couldn’t yet see in himself.
In-person care gave Wayne the space to find his voice for the first time in his forty-four years.
For years, he had lived in survival mode. After serving in the military, he returned home to help his family through loss, illness, and instability. He had learned to be passive, to absorb tension, to keep moving, without ever stopping to ask what he needed.
It wasn’t until trusted clinicians and staff members took the time to truly know him that he began to understand how deeply his past experiences had shaped him. Through face-to-face conversations, he learned that coping with anger wasn’t about suppressing it, and that helping others didn’t mean sacrificing himself.
One staff member encouraged him to start journaling. At first, Wayne resisted, unsure how writing his thoughts down could help. However, after a particularly difficult season marked by loss, stress, and a painful legal situation, he began writing every day.
“I wrote down everything I was angry about,” he said. “And I realized how much I was holding in.”
Without encouragement from Santé staff, Wayne may never have picked up a journal and started writing. This can be a gentle reminder that what begins with interpersonal relationships can grow into a deeper relationship with oneself.
Like so many, Wayne’s journey has included grief, trauma, and profound change. He’s lost loved ones and navigated the complicated transition from military life to civilian life. He’s wrestled with identity, boundaries, and the painful truth that you can’t save everyone.
Through it all, he kept showing up for himself, and Santé remained committed to showing up with him.
Our staff members didn’t disappear when things got messy. We didn’t rush him through healing. Instead, we have continually walked alongside him through coping skills classes, hard conversations, and moments of self-reflection that required real courage.
“I’m not perfect,” Wayne says. “I’ve had my ups and downs. But I’m learning who I am.”
It has been an honor to witness Wayne do the work to better himself. Not only has he been able to release some of his anger, but he has also learned to take control of what he can.
In a world that increasingly relies on digital convenience and separation, Wayne’s experience reminds us of something deeply human: in-person connection carries real impact.
When care is delivered in person, it creates space for community and empathy that can’t be fully replicated through a screen. It allows trust to build slowly and authentically. It helps people feel less alone. Especially those who have spent years carrying so much weight by themselves.
At Santé, we believe you don’t have to be in crisis to deserve care. And you don’t have to walk your journey alone.
Whether it’s through peer-run wellness centers, crisis response teams, or long-term community programs, our work is rooted in presence. We remain committed to meeting people where life happens, not just where it’s convenient.
Wayne’s story isn’t about a single breakthrough moment. It’s about thirteen years of showing up, doing the work, and building relationships. He reminds us that no matter what our family chooses, or how far gone we think we are, we can always take charge of our next chapter. It also reminds us that oftentimes, making those big changes is easier with a friend by your side.
