Letter to the Editor:
I owe my brother’s survival to Shasta County District 3 Supervisor Mary Rickert.
I, like many others who turn to Mary Rickert in times of crisis, found she was there for me. I called Mary at 9 o’clock one hot summer night. My brother’s mental health was declining rapidly and dangerously. I was desperate. I had to know how and where we could get immediate care. I had met her at a Cattleman’s meeting the year before and she gave out her cell number to all in attendance in case anyone needed to reach her. I put her number in my phone, never thinking that someday she would be instrumental in helping me save my brother’s life. She was walking the fence line at her ranch when she answered the phone.
My brother, like many others, became nameless in a sea of mental health issues brought on by COVID-19. Without Mary taking the time to understand the severity of the situation, and offering her deeply caring response, I would have lost my brother. She started by empathizing with my family’s situation, and not judging us.
My brother was diagnosed with schizophrenia in his early 20s. He was doing well and had lived independently for more than two decades, despite the stigma. Due to a mental health crisis, he declined rapidly. Each day he lost more of himself, and by the time our family realized what was happening he was unable to make the right decisions regarding his day-to-day life and mental health, and refused treatment, even though he wanted it.
You see, our laws said someone must be a danger to themselves of others before you mental health services can be provided to someone who doesn’t want them. With this knowledge and not knowing where to turn, I turned to Mary. She gave me a list of local organizations and programs to call, people to talk to, and the encouragement that helped give me strength to FIGHT for him.
Not only did she take my call that night, but she, without prompting, called me days later to see how my brother and I were doing, and to see if we made any progress. Then a few weeks later she called again. Several months after that she did the same. It was a long road to recovery, but I am proud to say that today my brother lives independently, fully aware of all the help he received, and he is forever grateful!
When I asked my brother if I could write this letter to the editor he said, “Of course, Sis. Without you getting the help you needed to help me I would not be here. I would still be walking the streets, destitute, conserved or worse, dead. I owe you and Mary my life”.
Mary never asked for anything from us. She was just a kind person who understood our situation and wanted to help as much as she could. She has never been a politician; she is a public servant in the truest form of the phrase. My brother never met Mary …he thinks I am the hero in his life. But my family and I know who the true hero is, and we are forever grateful that Mary Rickert had and has the experience to help us and others in Shasta County!
Forever Grateful,
Shelly Shepard
Shasta County Resident, District 3
