It's been a long road for Pam Myers and her son Jonathon.  When he was nine he became severely depressed and wanted to kill himself.  "He goes I want to stand in the middle of a busy street and get hit by a car.  And I said how soon do you want to act on that and he goes the next time I get a chance," said Pam.

     Jonathon was put on suicide watch and diagnosed with bi-polar disorder.  But it didn't end there, in tenth grade his family was shocked to learn he was mentally retarded.  "I don't really think my disability makes me different," said Jonathon.

     Jonathon's family believes his mental retardation was diagnosed years too late and that lead to his mental illness in grade school.  Now 19, he spends his spare time making wood crafts.  He also volunteers at The Pet House in Irondequoit seven days a week.  It keeps him busy and he doesn't feel as depressed.  "I think the medications made a big difference," said Jonathon.

     Jonathan's dual diagnoses haven't been easy on the Myers' family.  Services for children with mental retardation are funded by the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities.  Services for children with mental health problems are funded by the Office of Mental Health.  The two don't work together, and children needing both types of services often have trouble getting the help they need.  "Kids that have needs in both systems is where both systems have struggled.  Kids are described as falling through the cracks between their developmental disability and their mental health issues," said Dan Lesinski.

     Dan Lesinski is the Associate Leader For Residential Services at Hillside Family Of Agencies.  He says it's important children with  dual diagnoses have a network of support outside of their family.  "Case management is an important linkage for families.  Case managers really serve as an advocate for the child and the family in navigating the many systems," said Lesinski.

    Another struggle for families: there is no single number to call to get help with mental health services.  It takes many calls.  Pam spent 20 hours a week one year calling everyone from elected officials in Albany to the Developmental Disabilities Services Office, getting few results.

     Kathleen Plum says that's not uncommon.  She is director of the Monroe County Office of Mental Health.  Plum says grant money is being spent to make the system more user-friendly.  "My dream is to have a number you can call and say I'm in distress my families in distress or my child is having a problem, and that one number can kind of help you figure out how to negotiate because actually Monroe County does have a lot of good services but people don't often know about them," said Plum.

     As for Jonathon, he's finishing up high school at Monroe #1 BOCES.  But he's still vulnerable.  last year, he says he was raped by two female friends.  "I was trying to tell her "No, no, no, no.  The girl was much bigger than me shoved me into her room," said Jonathon.

     Jonathon went to police, but nothing happened because he was of age, even though he's considered a non-consenting adult because of his disability.  His mom says you have to pick your battles and this was not one of them.  "I have to let that one go even though I'll never forget it," said Pam.

     Pam and her husband are protective of Jonathon, but he has plans of his own.  "I want to live on my own.  I want to have my own job and hopefully my own business with woodwork," said Jonathon.

    That's a dream he's working toward. But for now his mom is just happy he's alive.  "He's my miracle boy.  It's been long road back ten years ago I don't think I could look at this day.  I knew it would come but I didn't know when all I could see was this little pin hole, a light at the end of the tunnel," said Pam.