As pandemic shines light on teen mental health crisis, every day 'terrifying' for one Wake family

In September, Mark and DeAnna Germano received a phone call from their daughter’s Wake County middle school with concerns over her safety. She ended up at Holly Hill Hospital in Raleigh diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, suicidal thoughts and other personality disorders.

"It’s been a nightmare trying to find any therapy, even virtual," says Mark Germano. "It’s waiting list after waiting list, and it’s something she needs immediately."

Even though their daughter was getting help, the Germanos say the two-month stay was filled with frustration.

"There was a whole four days where we couldn’t get in touch with anyone," recalled DeAnna Germano. "We would go there to drop off items and they were constantly closed."

There were also issues with a doctor who failed to submit paperwork so the Germanos would qualify for Medicaid to help with expected costs of long-term mental health therapy for their daughter. The couple filed a complaint with the North Carolina Medical Board, which the board acknowledged receiving and is now investigating.

But the stay at Holly Hill was just the beginning of the struggle, the Germanos said.

"She’s been out of the hospital since Dec. 9, and has had zero therapy follow up because we simply cannot get her into a program," said DeAnna Germano. "We’re trying our best to get her what she needs, and we’re being red taped, and it makes every day terrifying."

The Germanos are not alone, as the pandemic exposed and created more weaknesses in the state’s mental health programs.

"Kids are really struggling. Their families are really struggling, and we just don’t have the mental health resources we need," said Michelle Hughes, the executive director of NC Child, an advocacy group for families like the Germanos.

"We have kids sleeping overnight in ERs trying to get access to mental health facilities so it is just, it’s a crisis," added Hughes.

Hughes said lawmakers need to step up and help.

"Right now, our kids are in crisis. They are suffering tremendously, and North Carolina needs to invest funding in the mental health services that communities need so that they can take care of our children," she said.

Hughes said that starts with more school nurses, social workers and counselors, where our state is well behind the national average.

Wake parents push for more funding, resources for students struggling with mental health

"When we think about where children are during the day, they’re in school, and so let’s bring services to them," said Hughes.

The Germanos say wait times for a therapy session can be 4-6 weeks and even longer for more comprehensive care.

"The waiting list for the long-term facilities, which is what she really needs, those are the hospitals with schools, with the proper doctors for her, those waiting lists are anywhere from six months to a year," said Mark Germano.

With the mental health system already stressed, many comprehensive therapy centers raised their minimum age, which also shut out Germano’s daughter.

"[We] need more programs, more funding —any aspect that can help pediatric mental health," said Mark Germano.

The couple said every day is filled with anxiety and not knowing what could trigger their daughter’s next mental health episode. They add that they're afraid but also determined to advocate for their daughter.

Psychiatrist: Parents also need to take care of themselves, find 'me time'

"The system’s allowing her to fall through the cracks. We’re not allowing that to happen. I’m kicking, we’re kicking and screaming every step of the way," said Mark Germano.

In a statement to WRAL Investigates about the Germanoses account of their daughter's stay, Holly Hill Hospital said they were unable to provide information "about any specific individual due to HIPAA privacy laws."

"We can state  that we strive to meet or exceed the expectations of all patients and their families," a hospital spokesperson said.