[Kat605]

Hi everyone,
Going off my last post. One of my friends is seeking residential treatment for eating disorder BPD and other issues and earnestly wants help. However she has medicaid so is very much out of luck. The only place she's able to find is an organization called Mercy ministries, now Mercy Multiplied.
The Premise is that through donations this organization provides free care to those in their teens and twenties, all women. They use christian counseling. The girls are sent to homes spread out throughout the country. I think there's one in MO, TN, and maybe FL.
They claim to treat eating disorders, self injury, child abuse, borderline personality ETC.
Looking into this organization, if you google it there are definetely some extreme things said about it. For one there is a "Mercy survivors" page which should say something right there. For years there have been similar stories of emotional abuse by the organization, and the fact that these counselors are not licensed in anything around actual therapy beyond the Bible and other religious readings, mostly by the founder of the organization. There was talk of recovered memory therapy, and even cermonies to "cast out" a girl's issues. Their lives are extremely controled girls can only make phone calls on weekends. Are told who they can contact ETC. If a girl is kicked out which happens or leaves the other girls are told to not contact her ever again.
Of course there are positive reviews. But it seems very subjective. Like given that the whole framework for this place is religious it's like the people whoI guess feel the program fits with their spiritual beliefs get a lot out of it, or who don't mind the control I don't know. I've also heard of people who considered themselves quite christian and who were very damaged by the program.
I really am not a religious or spiritual person at all. I think spiritually can and for many is a huge part of recovery and treatment. I disagree with it being the only part, especially at a six to nine month program which this is you'd think there would be many components as other programs have. For their part the organization seems to not really react to all that criticism just changed its name and are raising more funds.
I'm very concerned about my friend going to this place. But she feels she needs the help and sees no other options. Cycling in and out of the hospital for two weeks at a time isn't helping obveously and her outpatient care as I mentioned in my last post is very lacking. I'm open to anything anyone has to say about their experiences with the organization. When I posted on my blog about it I got all cautionary comments. Thoughts are apreciated!

[Lauliza]

I have not heard good things about it. I was told that some of their "clinicians" aren't licensed and that it is Christian based. I know there aren't many options for treatment, but your friend should think research more options if possible.

[Kat605]

Yes this is exactly what I've been told overall. And I'm trying very hard to steer her to other options. She found a place called Canopy Cove that has a christian view but also uses many regular therapies like CBT group therapy and even equine therapy therapy with horses! She found some article about how to get medicaid to pay it's a huge fight obveously but it might be worth a try. Though as she's not geting much support at all in her general area locally I doubt they'd back her on this. In il you're on these medicaid managed care plans. Like aetna health springs myridian ETC. She has the bad luck to be on one of the worst of the plans. So yeah will keep you all posted. Thanks.

[junkDNA]

hi, im glad you are researching this place. there are a LOT of places like this designed for young people that claim to be therapeutic. some of the time, though, they turn out to be abusive and just a way to claim insurance money. the fact that there is a 'survivor' page should be a big red flag. i was sent to a place unwillingly when i was 16, my mom looked at a glossy brochure and thought yes this will help. little did she know i was emotionally and physically tortured for 8 months without her knowledge bc they read our mail and censored it. i couldnt tell her what was happening till i left, and when i did leave, no one really took me seriously. now, if you google where i was, tons of pages come up about 'survivors' and how they were abused there. the place went under investigation for abuse and was then bought out by a different company. it is very important to investigate and research ANY treatment facility. its sad but its true.

[Kat605]

Hi Junk DNA,
Wow I'm so sorry you went through that! If you don't mind me asking where did you go? Apparently years ago there was a whole run of places claiming to help "troubled teens" and not being legit at all.
It makes me so sad with this place in particular because they're preying on very vulnerable people, girls/women in crisis who want treatment but literally may have no other option due to financial reasons. I know it's not right but sometimes I resent hearing about people that can afford to go to some of these high priced treatment centers two or more times. I mean I know recovery isn't linear and if they've found a good resource for treatment then of course go back it's just that there are so many that can't afford to go even once. I wish there were some way to push organizations whether the centers themselves advocacy organizations or something to have scholarships/ donations or something to where at least some of the people in need but without the financial resources can get what they have a right to for treatment.

[junkDNA]

it was called Peninsula Village. there is a network of places called the WWASP network aka the troubled teen industry. i agree that mental health should be more affordable. there are few places where one can get the individualized care they need with the help of donations/scholarships. i was lucky to end up in one just before my 23rd bday. that is where i met my T , we have both since left but still work together. it saved my life, but the only way i got into it is my old pdoc paid the first 2 months fee for me which was 25k. that place without scholarships is insanely expensive. my T is creating a community type mental health place that is affordable. he also believes that everyone should have access to mental health care and feel belonging to a community of people.