October 29, 2026
Growing up, McCall President and CEO Maria Coutant Skinner, LCSW, was surrounded by family. But her household looked a little different from most.
Her family is filled with wonderful, interesting people. They include sensitive storytellers, musical, adventurous and bright folks– a true cast of characters. Some also struggled with unaddressed pain from trauma and substance use that led to some challenging chapters in their lives. Those circumstances led 22 cousins to live with her family, some for a short time and others for much longer. Two were eventually adopted by her parents.
Her home was a place where family members could turn when life became difficult. Her parents had the compassion, knowledge, and resources to help children who needed stability and support.
But looking back, Maria recognizes something that wasn’t always considered at the time: How were those experiences affecting everyone else in the family?
It’s a question that has stayed with her and one that speaks to something many families experience today. When someone you love is struggling, it’s natural for your attention to turn toward them.
But who’s checking in on you?
When one person struggles, others feel it too
During a recent interview with 97.3 WZBG, Maria reflected on how a difficult experience in one person’s life can affect everyone who cares about them.
“If you think about somebody receiving difficult news, such as a cancer diagnosis, it doesn’t just impact the patient. It impacts all the people who love and care for them,” she explained. “And they rally around, coming together to plan and care for one another. It’s a beautiful aspect of the human condition.”
For families navigating mental health challenges or substance use disorders, that doesn’t always happen. In fact, families often reproach themselves.
You might wonder whether you’ve done enough, whether you could have prevented something, or what you should do differently. You may feel worried, frustrated, helpless, or even guilty.
And sometimes, because someone else is facing a more immediate crisis, you convince yourself that your feelings aren’t as important.
But they are.
You don’t have to be the person experiencing a crisis to be affected by it, and you don’t have to carry those feelings alone.
Making space for everyone’s experience
When Maria reflects on her childhood today, she recognizes how important it was for her whole family system to talk about all that was happening. Not necessarily to fix anything, but simply recognizinging that their experiences also mattered
“I see you. I recognize what you’re carrying, and let’s talk about that and what that experience is like for you.”
Those words reflect something that can easily get lost when a family is focused on helping someone through a difficult time.
As Maria emphasized during the interview, “We want to make sure to take care of that whole system that surrounds the person in crisis.”
That means recognizing that family members and loved ones may need guidance, encouragement, and opportunities to talk openly about what they’re experiencing.
You deserve support
At the McCall Behavioral Health Network, we believe that care shouldn’t stop with the person experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge. Families and loved ones deserve a place where they can share their experiences, ask questions, and receive support without judgment.
Through programs such as Family Recovery Coaching, family therapy, individual counseling, and our Recovering Together support group, we help families navigate difficult experiences together.
To learn more about McCall’s programs and services for families, visit mccallbhn.org or contact us at 860.496.2100.
Hear more from Maria: Listen to the full 97.3 WZBG interview.
Return to our Blog for more inspiring stories and insights.