Reaching out for support gives father a second chance in life

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The month of June is home to both Father's Day and Mental Health Awareness month.

Avenues Recovery, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center, notes that reaching out for support is a sign of strength and will be appreciated by those who care about you.

"I think the bad stigma for men is we were raised to toughen up, to soak it up, not express our feelings, so we swallowed our feelings, and it makes it hard for us to reach out as men and ask for help," said Seth Enders, a group facilitator at Avenues Recovery Center.

Jay Woods an alumnus from the program is celebrating 81 days of sobriety.

"I was definitely in a bad way when I came here, drinking way too much and causing destruction in my family and my home. Of course, I don't want to lose my kids or my wife or destroy my marriage or family. So, this was definitely an attempt, and I was kind of pressured by people who loved me and could see bad things were going on, they're like, you need help, I'll get help."

Avenues Recovery offers eight different programs for their patients.

"The best part of my job is getting to love somebody until they can love themselves, and to see the light come back on, to see somebody want to get a haircut, to take a shower, put on good clothes, and see the light and the color come back in their eyes. It's just an amazing thing," said Enders.