Imagine fleeing your home country and leaving everything behind because your family’s lives are threatened by political violence. That’s what 19-year-old Fiona experienced when she fled South America with her mother and brother. Faced with the daunting challenge of starting over as an immigrant in the United States, Fiona became overwhelmed with depression and anxiety.

Fiona’s mother was unsure how to navigate the U.S. healthcare system until they saw a Spanish-language sign for AACI Health Center. As newly arrived immigrants, they were grateful to schedule appointments for the entire family with a doctor who spoke their language. During Fiona’s appointment, she completed a routine depression screening. This was surprising to her because mental health is rarely discussed in her home country. With deep courage, Fiona opened up about the darkness she had been facing, sharing that her depression had reached a point where continuing to live felt unbearable.

That moment marked a turning point—and AACI stepped in to help.

Following a short stay in the hospital, Fiona began meeting with an AACI Behavioral Health Counselor. Through compassionate support and consistent care, she gradually learned to navigate her emotions and reconnect with her sense of self-worth. She shared,

“My counselor told me that even though I’m not feeling good right now, it will be fine because I can still be a good person, a person that can be whatever I want to be.”

Therapy became a lifeline, giving Fiona the tools and confidence to manage her mental health. But AACI’s support didn’t stop there. In addition to therapy and primary care, Fiona and her family also received dental care at AACI Family Dentistry. For this recently immigrated family, having a singular trusted place for all their health care made a world of difference.

Two years after first walking through AACI’s doors, Fiona and her family are finding their footing in a new community. Fiona graduated high school, gained college acceptance, started working, and continues to meet with her therapist at AACI. Her work in therapy empowers her to face challenges and embrace life with renewed optimism. She looks ahead with determination and a sense of purpose, her journey shaped by the care and support AACI provided every step of the way.

“At AACI, I feel like I’m listened to by people who really care and have the intention to help. It’s almost like having a good friend to talk to. They listen to you, and they really care about you. It’s a good feeling.”

To learn more about AACI Behavioral Health services, please visit www.aaci.org/behavioral-health/. To learn more about AACI Family Dentistry, please visit www.aaci.org/dental/.