November 11, 2024
Pictured Above: Marie Carlin, LCSW, (center) celebrates Dr. Howard G. Iger’s plaque and portrait unveiling at the Institute of Living with Dr. Iger’s family.
Looking back at the most challenging time of her life, Marie Carlin, LCSW considers herself fortunate to have received care from the Institute of Living (IOL). It was there that she came under the care of Dr. Howard Iger, the psychiatrist she credits with saving her life and giving it back to her in much better condition.
“When I came to the IOL, I was profoundly depressed and severely suicidal, I did not believe anyone could help me and was pretty resistant to efforts to treat me,” shares Marie. “Luckily, Dr. Iger’s patience and wisdom won me over and I began to cooperate with his treatment plan.”
According to Marie, her trust in Dr. Iger and his treatment eventually led to her recovery.
“In time, I was ready to leave, but still vulnerable to relapse,” adds Marie. “Dr. Iger and his team did an amazing job putting together an aftercare plan that included housing, outpatient treatment, and support for returning to work.”
Howard G. Iger, MD, a retired psychiatrist, served for 43 years at the Institute of Living, many of these years as Director of the Inpatient Professional Program for patients with professional careers. Before retiring in 2010 he was very actively involved in treating patients and helping to improve and maintain high standards of care on both inpatient and outpatient units at the IOL.
Pictured Above: Marie Carlin, LCSW, admires Dr. Iger’s portrait and plaque at the Institute of Living for the first time.
As for Marie, she would go on to earn her second Master’s degree and become a licensed social worker, a certified brain injury specialist, and a surveyor for the National Commission on Correctional Health Care. For 23 years she provided care to inmates with psychiatric disorders at the Hartford Correctional Center. Her career and life would come full circle when she accepted a social work position at the IOL.
“I was thrilled to be at the IOL because it was such an honor to give back to the place that saved my life,” shares Marie. “Being a former patient was the single most important factor in my formation as a clinician. That experience helped me to understand and help the patients I now see at the IOL.
“I also feel the frustration of seeing our patients become stable without anywhere to go,” she continues. “This makes them so vulnerable to relapse or worse. I want so much for them to have at least some of what was given to me, in terms of good and effective aftercare.”
Marie’s own experience and concern for these patients led her to establish the Howard G. Iger, MD Fund, named in honor of her cherished caregiver and friend. The fund supports the IOL’s work in assisting behavioral health patients experiencing homelessness with housing, living expenses, educational materials, and other everyday needs.
“There are so many wonderful people who come through our doors as patients who could do so much with their lives if they just receive the support they need at discharge,” says Marie. “For me, building this fund is such a meaningful way to spend the years I have left on this earth. I am just so full of gratitude for what has been given to me and want to offer others the opportunity to work with us to make a real difference in the discharge situations of patients experiencing homelessness.”
Click here if you would like to make a gift in support of the Howard G. Iger, MD Fund at the Institute of Living.