Fostering Open and Honest Discussions
“Peer training, having difficult conversations, and maintaining an openness to continue growing and learning will change you if you let it.”
— Carrie, Learning and Development Specialist
Before I began my journey with Mental Health Partnerships, I spent approximately eight years working as a kindergarten and first-grade teacher. In the field of education, burnout is unfortunately quite common, and for the last few years of my teaching career, I was constantly on the go, with no time to pause and consider my own mental well-being. Despite having a family history of mental health issues, I had always believed that being a teacher would somehow shield me from these concerns.
Transitioning into the mental health field has been an eye-opening experience for me. I’ve been fortunate enough to unlearn many of the behaviors ingrained in the education profession. Working with Mental Health Partnerships has compelled me to take a hard look at my own needs, explore avenues of healing, and address questions about myself that had long remained unanswered. In fact, it was through this process that I received a mental health diagnosis, a crucial step that I might never have taken had I not changed fields and engaged in these difficult conversations.
My involvement in mental health discussions extends beyond my professional life; it has also deeply impacted my marriage.
I apply the knowledge I gain in my work to my relationship with my husband, who is now learning about mental health in ways no man in his family ever has. Witnessing the positive changes in our lives resulting from the work we do here at Mental Health Partnerships has been immensely satisfying. In both the Black and Hispanic communities, mental health is often overlooked, and open discussions about it are rare. Mental health had previously been a foreign concept to my husband, and as we had these conversations, I not only had to discover what I needed for myself but also teach him how to support and assist me in my journey.
One significant aspect we have worked on together is his role as a peer. Historically, he had a problem-solving approach, but the essence of peer support lies in the shared experiences. Instead of saying, 'I can't even imagine what you're going through,' peers can say, 'I understand exactly how you feel.' This is a powerful and validating experience for the person seeking support. I've worked with my husband to participate in this kind of conversation and understanding, and he now recognizes the importance of creating a safe space for me where I never feel alone, regardless of what I'm going through.
Peer training, having difficult conversations, and maintaining an openness to continue growing and learning will change you if you let it.
Working with Mental Health Partnerships has compelled me to take a hard look at my own needs, explore avenues of healing, and address questions about myself that had long remained unanswered.