Without a compass: Beth and Rich Adduci

When Rich and Beth Adducis' child (they/them) experienced a psychotic episode while at college in another state, the couple had no experience with mental illness. Like so many families, they felt unprepared for what would become a long and challenging journey.

“It was like we were on a trail with no compass or map to guide us,” says Beth.

Their child began experiencing hallucinations and intense paranoia, gradually becoming untethered from reality. As they waited in the lobby of a psychiatric facility near the college, the Adducis desperately searched for answers.

Eventually, the family returned to Massachusetts. Though they were home, they still felt adrift.

“We found it very isolating when we brought up mental health care in conversations with friends and family,” says Rich. “Unfortunately, the stigma remains. Most people we knew had no idea what to say or do, and some even avoided us for fear of having to talk about the journey we were on.”

A co-worker connected them with Bryan Pridgen, MD, medical director of McLean Hospital’s Adolescent Partial Hospital Program, who helped them better understand their child’s condition and treatment options.

Their child enrolled in McLean’s OnTrack™ program for individuals recovering from a first episode of psychosis and later participated in WellSpace, a drop-in day program where peer specialists use their lived experience to support recovery.

Beth and Rich also attended the OnTrack™ family workshop, where they met others whose experiences mirrored their own. They shared their fears, grief, and hard-earned lessons with others who understood. Most importantly, their child began to recover.

“Our kid probably wouldn’t be alive today if not for McLean. You cannot find the same level of care and services anywhere else,” says Rich. “McLean made such a difference for us, we wanted to help others have access to the same lifesaving care.”

In gratitude, the Adducis became supporters of the programs that helped their family. They gave to WellSpace and OnTrack™, then made a capital gift to The Way Forward campaign to support the new child and adolescent campus. Beth joined McLean’s Women’s Mental Health Leadership Council, and together the couple joined the McLean National Council. They also included an unrestricted gift to the hospital in their estate plans, making them members of the John McLean Society.

“We give targeted gifts while we’re alive because of our connection to those programs,” says Beth. “After we’re gone, we won’t know which needs will be most critical, so we want to give McLean the freedom to apply our legacy gift where it will have the greatest impact.”

Although the journey continues, their child is in a much better place today, thanks to McLean.

“Getting the care our child needed and knowing that we are not alone shows how valuable McLean has been for our family,” says Rich. “Through our philanthropy, we want to make sure McLean can continue to provide these services for others. We are so grateful to the team at McLean for the difference they have made for our family.”