Margarita's Story
Margarita has a big smile on her face these days. After battling severe depression brought on by her mother’s drug addiction and months of living in foster care, Margarita now lives a peaceful life with her father. Fourteen-year-old Margarita was referred to Para Los Niños' Mental Health Services by her County case worker. Margarita had been removed from her mother's care due to her mother's drug use. Unfortunately, this turn of events left Margarita severely depressed, with thoughts of suicide. Margarita’s condition was so poor that Para Los Niños immediately arranged for psychiatric hospitalization for the heartbroken girl. When Margarita was released from the hospital, she returned to Para Los Niños for outpatient care. Medication and therapy had relieved the worst of her symptoms, but Margarita was still a very troubled girl. She did not respond to her foster mother, and was faring poorly in school. Para Los Niños’ therapists – with the help of Margarita’s caring foster mother – helped Margarita cope with her situation. The therapists also reached out to Margarita’s mother. Sadly, Margarita’s mother, deep into her drug addiction, refused to help Margarita. Soon, though, a relative of Margarita’s long-absent father discovered that Margarita was living in foster care. Her father had no idea of his daughter’s circumstances. With the help of her therapists, Margarita reconnected with her father, and her depression lifted. Margarita was able to discontinue the use of medication, and her case was closed when she successfully reunited with her father and his family.
Fast Facts
In 2007, over 583,000 people in Los Angeles County lived in extreme poverty
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87% of children of immigrant families in Los Angeles County are U.S. citizens
