Hi, my name is Shane and I have been in the mental health system since the 5th grade. I have seen psychiatrists, psychologists, neuroscientists, nurse practitioners, social workers, and therapist during the course of my mental health journey. All of these people helped me in some way, but I never really felt understood in my illness. In 2015, I started work in an outpatient clinic as a Psychosocial Rehabilitation Specialist, or PSRI. In that environment, I felt more safe talking about my mental health condition and was shocked at the number of my coworkers who were living with a mental health condition just like me. In 2016, a woman in a leadership role at the agency that I worked for shared her mental health and substance abuse story with me. As we talked about our struggles with anxiety and depression, I found myself inspired by her. She suggested that I share my stories with others and become a peer specialist. In 2018, I completed my training and became a peer specialist.
Since becoming a peer specialist, I have also become a mental health advocate. Many people living with mental health conditions feel like their voices aren’t heard. Instead, they feel overwhelmed by the voices of their family, friends, or doctor. My goal as a peer specialist is to help you be stable, feel like yourself, love yourself, advocate for yourself, and live the life you want to live. With the proper support, recovery is possible. If you are interested in a little extra help, or an alternative to standard mental health treatment, peer support could be right for you.
