My son presented to the ER for a mental health crisis on two separate occasions. Jonathan was the most compassionate nurse I have ever experienced at ECU Health, and I have been receiving treatment here for over 20 years. He not only ensured my son got up in the morning and continued his ADLs, but he also engaged with him during both of his visits (not treating him as if he was a behavioral health patient), and on the second stay, he noticed that I, as a mom, was off. He took me away from the room and made sure I was ok, gave me words of encouragement, and assured me that I was doing it right! He had no idea that this was what I needed at that moment. 

When you are always being the strong one, you forget that there comes a time you need that shoulder, and Jonathan was mine during that moment. And as a team member of ECU Health, it gave me nothing but joy to see how our staff can truly employ the values and mission that have been set forth. Jonathan had no idea that I worked for ECU Health when he was encouraging me. He gave me the strength that I needed that day to face the journey that was ahead as they sent my sweet boy off to get his treatment.  Mental Health awareness in our youth isn’t talked about enough, and when it is, it’s often seen and done in a negative light. I truly want to thank Jonathan for seeing my precious boy, but seeing him for who he is, not for what he was going through at that moment! I wish more people could do just that!