By Sarah Fertsch
Atlantic County has been shocked and devastated at the painful circumstances of a Somers Point man, Chaoe Perry. Perry was under the care of the Department of Veteran Affairs and grew frustrated that he couldn’t receive more services for his mental health. He soaked himself in rubbing alcohol and set himself on fire at an
Atlantic City gas station.
Jasmine DeLeon, Perry’s wife, explained that her husband is being treated at a Pennsylvania burn center for several second and third degree burns. He faces at least 20 to 30 surgeries to repair his skin and protect his organs. Her time is spread thin between caring for Perry’s three sons (all under the age of four) and taking trips to Crozer-Chester Medical Center via train. She is also in the process of finding a new place to live, being forced out of her apartment.
“My oldest child is not doing well,” reports Perry’s wife Jasmine. “He missed his Dad.”
When asked what people could do to help, she responded solemnly “Prayers, a lot of prayers.”
The couple met through the Covenant House program, both experiencing homelessness. Perry has struggled with depression while DeLeon was overcoming substance abuse. Perry had served in the military but was dismissed due to his mental illness, a significant blow to his confidence and happiness (“he lost his dream job” said DeLeon). Utilizing services through the VA, Perry was aggravated because he could only see a therapist twice per month and a psychiatrist three times per year.
On the night of the attempt, Perry spoke to his wife for the first time about considering self harm. She was concerned, but he left the house in the middle of the night and sent her photos of himself soaked in alcohol at the gas station. Then, the unthinkable happened.
Carolyn Wolf, an Egg Harbor Township social worker and person who battles mental illness, was heartbroken but not surprised by the Perry Tragedy. “The VA is known for not providing enough services for veterans, and it really comes down to inadequate funding,” she said. “Perry needed more help, and this should be a wake up call for locals to plan ahead for mental health crises, researching therapy options and behavioral health programs.”
Wolf insisted that people who have mental health problems write up a WRAP plan (Wellness Recovery Action Plan). This lengthy document includes information like warning signs of a crisis, support people to contact, means to keep a person safe, and triggers that spark a crisis. The plan is available online and should be filled out, then handed to close allies, like a spouse or parent.
“There are also tens of programs in our area to support people who are struggling with safety (from harm by themselves),” said Wolf. She spoke of the Suicide Prevention Program, which connects people with suicidal ideation with counselors over the phone. These trained professionals schedule calls with their clients and talk about feelings, impulses and well-being. If a client is in crisis, the counselors will call their support person and coordinate a psychiatrist appointment or hospital admission.
Atlanticare provides not only a psychiatric hospital floor for patients in crisis, but also offers outpatient programs that assist with stability and psych education. Patients who were recently discharged from inpatient treatment can attend the Acute Partial Program in Galloway. The program provides transportation and meals for clients, who attend five days per week for seven hours each day. Once a client has graduated from Acute Partial, they can be referred to the Mental Health Intensive Outpatient Program (MHIOP). The step-down group therapy takes place three days per week and includes one-on-one therapy as well.
For those less interested in hospital offerings, multiple nonprofits help New Jersey folks for no cost. The Trevor Project offers support groups and a 24/7 hotline for young people within the LGBTQ+ community. The Mental Health Association of New Jersey provides groups for mental health consumers and their families as well as a resource database for food, clothing, medical needs and shelter. NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) offers screenings, video education, and online support groups for its members.
If you are overwhelmed by mental illness symptoms or feel that you are unsafe to yourself or others, please tell someone and ask for help. Reach out to a mental health worker. Do not act on impulses. Know that you are worth more than you realize and that you are irreplaceable. You are not alone and most importantly, you are loved. Choose wellness.
To donate to the Perry family and help them find a new home, check out https://gofund.me/940707a2.
