Liz Bartz, Trainer and Development Specialist for Behavioral Health at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, invited me to be a guest presenter at a Crisis Services Training. She wants people with lived experience to share their perspective on mental health, substance misuse, and trauma conditions.
As a Certified Peer Specialist, I add a valuable dimension of Recovery to education, clinics, hospitals, community resources, and other connections. How?
When I speak to people receiving training from Liz, I say to them, “Connections (Crisis or otherwise) begin with meaningful conversation with us.” What does this mean?
- Listening to us first, rather than taking over.
- Taking us seriously. We may not have a degree, but we do have lived experience.
- Providing information to make an informed decision.
- Contacting support to help keep us safe, rather than jumping right to hospitalization.
- Being an advocate for us during challenging conversations with professionals.
- Including us in decision-making.
- Respecting our feelings.
- Encouraging self-worth and wellness
Those of us with lived experience can impact the response our brothers and sisters receive as they reach out for mental health assistance. We can be incorporated into human services agencies, schools, universities, clinics, hospitals, and community resources. Liz is a shining example by including a person with lived experience in her trainings.
I invite you to view the mental health offerings through the Behavioral Health Training Partnership. Please share with others you believe can benefit from the training that is offered. https://www.uwgb.edu/behavioral-health/
Liz, thank you for your example by including people with lived experience (Certified Peer Specialist) in your work.
SuperHuman Being
Peace
Larry
email: ljw@superhumanbeing.net
website: https://superhumanbeing.net/