During a recent visit to Cerca-La-Source by the Zanmi Lasante mental health team, one patient made a lasting impression with the strength of his testimony. Robenson Jean, father of five and a local resident, came to greet the team, visibly moved to be able to talk about his journey.
Some years earlier, his life had been turned upside down in the Dominican Republic after a serious car accident. A head injury had left him with sleepless nights, constant anxiety, and confused thoughts that prevented him from functioning normally. When he returned to Haiti, he could no longer recognize himself. Fatigue, fear, and a feeling of being detached from himself accompanied him on a daily basis.
It was at the Cerca-La-Source Health Center that Robenson finally found an open door. There, he met psychologist Jean Jocelyn Douchard Auguste. From the very first consultations, the latter understood that Robenson needed constant follow-up but also a human presence capable of helping him through the difficult times.
The psychologist remembers the early days of treatment. Robenson would miss several appointments, overwhelmed by his discomfort and his comings and goings between localities. Each absence was a risk of treatment breakdown. Yet Jean Jocelyn Douchard Auguste never gave up. When Robenson didn’t show up, he took the initiative of calling him or going through a health agent to follow up and encourage him to continue. This consistency created an indispensable space of trust.
Over time, the sessions, treatment adjustments, and repeated encouragement paid off. Robenson describes this moment as a turning point.
“I wasn’t sleeping. I wasn’t myself anymore. Since I’ve been treated here, everything has changed. Thanks to the support of the psychologists and the treatment, I’m better today. I’ve regained a bit of peace.”
Today, he’s smiling again. At the mobile clinic in Pacasse, his presence was a clear sign of improvement. He wasn’t just a patient who came to say hello. He was a man who had found stability after a long period of confusion. His look, his posture, and the way he spoke testified to a new balance.
Robenson’s story is a reminder that mental health goes beyond medical protocols. It requires patience, genuine listening, regular follow-ups, and the presence of caregivers who believe in patients’ ability to move forward, even when they themselves doubt.
At Cerca-La-Source, this work is carried out by professionals like Jean Jocelyn Douchard Auguste, but also by the health agents who ensure that the link between patients and services is maintained. Their daily commitment enables people like Robenson to regain a stability they thought they’d never achieve again.
Each journey, like Robenson’s, shows the tangible impact of Zanmi Lasante’s mental health program. Your support ensures follow-up, team training, and continuity of care for the most vulnerable patients. Donate today so that more people can regain peace, stability, and dignity.