The young women who come to The Dorm are just stepping into “Adulting”. With mental health disorders most of the young women have never mastered or implemented what many functional adults take for granted. Time management, self-care, cleanliness with living space, and money management.

Mental health disorders take young developing women way off course. Problem solving has not been inserted into their everyday lives because when problems arise depression, anxiety and overwhelm take over. Conflict resolution is another area where coaching and training are critical. Some young women tend to avoid conflict at all costs and instead run from the conflict, which only creates greater problems during their first year of recovery.

Just like physical illness, mental illness effects the way our brain functions. Another way to say this is “more is better” and if we are not the “best” then not doing anything is the answer. The young women who come to Ohana at one time were active in their areas of interest such as yoga, working out, running, hiking, art, music or dance. As their afflictions progressed, most activities were given up because their lives became about escaping and checking out. Art, music, health, and fitness are reintroduced in moderation as the elements of early recovery take shape.

General overall health care in young women has been abandoned as their insecurities and trauma progressed. Dental work, Doctor visits, eyeglasses, and general self care for having and maintaining a healthy physical body was avoided, sometimes for years. In early recovery getting back on track with dental work, gynecology/birth control and sexually transmitted diseases begin to get reestablished.