“I don’t think that you can separate the mind from the body.”

While working on her PhD at the University of Southern California, Margarita S. discovered she was very ill and moved to Oregon for medical support. Faced with a long recovery, financial worries, and unstable living arrangements after an organ transplant, Margarita became deeply depressed.

“It was almost like walking around in molasses all the time,” she says. “And I had this feeling that because I don’t look sick, I should be doing more.”

Margarita started working with a Cascadia counselor, who helped her get treatment for her depression, coordinate her healthcare and apply for affordable housing. Margarita recently moved into Garlington Place.

“I’m really excited about the possibilities,” she says. “Even in the couple of weeks I’ve been living here, I’ve been able to sleep much better because I’m a lot less stressed out. Instead of constantly thinking, ‘Where am I going to live? What am I going to do?’ now I think, “What am I going to do next to move my life forward?’”

Read more about our new Garlington Campus.