“I just think to three years ago and how things would have turned out without their help, and I think my daughter would be dead,” Stephany Laurent said about the Parent Support Network Tuesday afternoon at the State House.

Laurent’s daughter, Carole, who has Asperger’s, was having trouble with bullying in school and struggling with an eating disorder when a teacher referred Laurent to the Parent Support Network (PSN).

PSN is a non-profit organization that works as an extension of the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF), supporting families with children suffering from mental or behavioral health issues. It started with a group of families with children in Bradley Hospital

“I couldn’t say enough about PSN. They gave me my daughter back. She has made a complete turnaround, 100 percent better,” Laurent said.

On Tuesday, PSN hosted a table outside of House Chambers to raise awareness for behavioral and mental health, but due to a recent budget crisis PSN was also promoting themselves to legislators to find funding.

Currently, PSN receives 85 percent of their funding from DCYF, who they have been affiliated with since 1993, but because DCYF’s budget is up in the air they have not been able to commit funding to PSN.

Executive Director Lisa Conlon Lewis said the organization, which has nine employees, helps more than 350 families and receives over 4,000 calls annually.

Without funding, PSN will have to downsize to two employees and be “reduced to a call center” only being able to host a few educational meetings all year.

Lewis said, “It feels like the last month of business. We try and do a lot of individualized support, going to court or appointments with family. This would really decrease our ability.”

Christine Smith, who has used many of the services offered by PSN, believes this is a “crucial” organization, providing a natural and non-intimidating support system to guide families in the right direction.

“Even if you just need someone to talk to when you’re overwhelmed, they are there,” Smith said.

Lewis explained that PSN works in a way that “families help families.”

She said unless people have gone or are going through it, most people don’t understand or are just uneducated on matters of behavioral and mental health concerns.

PSN have all had experiences dealing with this situation in their own families.

Brenda Alejo, who has worked for PSN as a program director for 16 years, said, “I was once the anonymous caller who felt alone and overwhelmed. I was once confused. I was a parent first.”

Timothy Casey, the administrative manager for nine years, said, “We serve those families in the most at-risk situations to help keep kids healthy and at home. We can relate which is key in helping these families. They need to know they aren’t alone and that someone is on their side.”

Lewis explained that especially with health reform mental and behavioral health is only becoming more difficult to understand and navigate because insurance companies don’t know enough to make sure people are getting the right plans to afford the services their family needs.

She said the reform is really leaving behavioral and mental health behind bringing up prices and co-pays for families. This can lead to families skipping appointments or not seeking treatment all together.

PSN also holds events to socialize kids.

Laurent said that because there is such a stigma in schools and oftentimes children are bullied for their concerns, interacting with other kids with similar issues can help children suffering from behavioral or mental health concerns see they aren’t alone and have an opportunity to gain peer support where they may not otherwise.

Representative Robert Lancia (R) sponsored PSN’s table for the day and introduced them to other legislators.

Lancia, who is on the Health, Education and Welfare Committee, said, “This is about empowering families, and that is just so important.”

He said he has “his eye toward” writing legislation concerning behavioral and mental health for next year but is currently trying to help PSN find funding so they can continue as an organization.

“This is an ideal organization working to promote awareness and helping families that need it most,” Lancia said.

He even read a resolution recognizing and commending PSN’s work throughout the state during the General Assembly.

Lewis said, “I feel if we are to lose all our funding, this is the perfect time for a resolution. At least we are honoring our staff who have dedicated themselves to this organization for years.”

For more information on PSN visit their website at www.psnri.org.