Sam

A few years ago, I was living in Columbus, struggling with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), a condition that requires highly specialized treatment that can be difficult to find. In 2023, I hit a particularly rough patch. What began as intense anxiety quickly revealed itself as something more. Anxiety and OCD are closely connected, and I knew I needed help.

In 2024, I found an outpatient program and began working with an OCD specialist using Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy. It made a real difference. After four months, I started to feel like I was getting my life back. But OCD has a way of creeping back in. Over time, I fell into old patterns, and my symptoms worsened. I realized that outpatient care, even twice a week, was no longer enough.

In the summer of 2025, I was admitted to a psychiatric unit. Shortly after, I discovered Hopewell through the International OCD Foundation’s provider directory. I applied, visited, and became a resident from July 2025 through January 2026. One of the most important parts of my time there was being part of the farm crew. I participated twice a day and stayed active in many other programs. There were mornings when I woke up feeling terrible, but getting outside, working with animals, and being around other people helped me shift my focus and keep moving forward.

Music also played a role in my recovery. I’m a drummer, and I found ways to keep that passion alive. At one point, I even performed with another resident who played guitar, an experience that reminded me of the joy I could still feel.

What truly set Hopewell apart for me was the sense of community. When I first arrived, I didn’t know what to expect. I had concerns about connecting with others facing different mental health challenges. But I quickly realized something powerful: we’re all just people navigating our own struggles. I built meaningful friendships that continue to this day.

The staff made a lasting impression as well. In many mental health settings, negative experiences can happen, but at Hopewell, I was consistently treated with respect and kindness. Whether working alongside staff on the farm or even playing pickleball together, I felt supported in a genuine way. That support helped me believe I could live independently again.

Today, I’m back in Columbus, working part-time and exploring career options with continued support from my Hopewell therapist. I also stay connected through Hopewell’s Club Hope program, which remains an important part of my life. Thanks to my time at Hopewell, I went from hopeless to hopeful.

OCD can still be challenging. It has a way of kicking you when you’re down. But Hopewell gave me something I didn’t have before: hope, along with the tools and confidence to face whatever comes next. I’ve learned that I can do hard things, and I don’t have to do them alone.

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