Maria* was just five years old when she and her family fled El Salvador, seeking safety from the gang violence that had surrounded their lives. But even after a decade in the U.S., the fear never fully left her. By the time she was 16, trauma had taken its toll. Maria was fighting at school, overwhelmed by anxiety, and battling thoughts of self-harm. She struggled to feel safe—especially in crowded places like the cafeteria, where the noise and chaos made her panic. At home, her mother was at a loss, heartbroken to see her daughter in such distress but unsure of where to turn for help.
When Maria arrived at Parkland for a primary care visit, her depression and suicidal thoughts had reached a breaking point. She needed immediate intervention. Fortunately her visit began with a behavioral screening. Upon reading the results, her physician quickly referred her to our behavioral health team, who assessed her situation and determined she required hospitalization. For two weeks, Maria remained inpatient at one of our partner organizations, receiving intensive care to stabilize her mental health. But our support didn’t stop there—before her discharge, Parkland’s team developed a plan to ensure her transition back into daily life would be as smooth and supported as possible.
Once she returned to outpatient care, Maria began trauma-focused therapy, working with a psychiatrist to manage her medications and a therapist to process the deep-seated fear and stress that had consumed her life. However, one of her biggest challenges remained: school. The environment was unsafe—not just emotionally, but physically. She had been in multiple fights, not because she wanted to, but because she felt she had no choice. The school administration offered little support, leaving Maria and her mother desperate for a solution.
Parkland’s social workers stepped in, helping Maria transfer to a safer academic environment—Texas Can Academy—where she could focus on her education without the constant fear of being attacked. It was a turning point. In her new school, Maria excelled, trading C’s for A’s and B’s and finding confidence in her ability to succeed. She started planning for a future beyond high school, dreaming of a career in the beauty industry as an entrepreneur.
Maria’s journey has not been without setbacks. Recently, the threat of her father’s deportation resurfaced old trauma, triggering anxiety and uncertainty. But this time, she had the tools to cope. She continued attending therapy, practicing the skills she had learned, and leaning on the Parkland team for support. No longer just surviving, Maria is thriving.
Her story is a powerful testament to the impact of trauma-informed care. Without insurance, Maria and her family relied on Parkland’s charity care to access the lifesaving mental health services she needed. If not for Parkland’s pediatric behavioral health services and community partnerships, she might not have gotten the care she needed.
Today, she is on track to graduate high school in December 2025, a milestone that once seemed impossible. Now, Maria and her counselor often talk about her future—not with fear or uncertainty, but with excitement. She dreams of owning her own makeup and cosmetics business, her eyes lighting up as she shares her ideas. Once weighed down by trauma and self-doubt, she now speaks with confidence, believing in a future she never thought possible.
Maria’s mother, once overwhelmed with worry, now speaks of gratitude. She no longer fears receiving a call from the school about another fight or, worse, an emergency call regarding her daughter’s self-harm. Instead, she sees a young woman who is strong, determined, and hopeful for the future. Thanks to Parkland, Maria didn’t just get help—she got a second chance at life.
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*The patient’s name has been changed to maintain confidentiality and comply with federal privacy regulations.