This Mental Health Awareness month, we’re proud to share an individual in our Behavioral Health program actively making a difference in his community.
Stephen found Humanim at exactly the right time in his life. Diagnosed with schizo-affective disorder in 2003, he was in a dark place. “It was debilitating,” he says. “It was like my bed was a magnet and my body was metal as far as trying to get up out of bed.” But his grandmother, always a cheerleader for her beloved grandson, never stopped looking for ways to support Stephen as he dealt with his depression, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts.
One day his psychiatrist recommended to his grandmother that Stephen check out Humanim’s services. So she looked them up, and then in 2004, Stephen started attending the day program at the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Program, a part of On Our Own’s programming. He’s been there ever since, partly to learn useful life skills and partly because of the invaluable peer interactions. “The other clients that attend these programs, they let me know that I’m not alone and I never will be,” he says. They’re all present for each other as a support system throughout their recovery process, whatever it involves.
Since November of 2018, Stephen has worked as a Peer Recovery Specialist at On Our Own’s Consumer Drop-In Center, which is a wellness and recovery center. “We help support individuals with behavioral health disabilities and people with developmental disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, and physical disabilities as well.” Through outings, activities, support groups, and regular daily and weekly check-ins, the center provides an array of services that their clients need to help them get and stay mentally healthy. The Howard County Health Department supports On Our Own in their efforts, sponsoring their work and sending professionals certified by the state in peer support and recovery to assist with such tasks as running group meetings and cooking.
In the past, in addition to his role at the center Stephen has served as a member representative on the Mental Health Authority Board of Howard County and on the local behavioral health advisory board for On Our Own Howard County, all run through the Howard County Health Department. These positions have allowed him to give back to the communities that have helped him so much.
When he’s not at work, Stephen enjoys teaching himself about new technology through YouTube videos, watching pro wrestling, playing video games, and listening to music. He calls video games and music his greatest wellness tools, particularly music. He says, “It’s like you’re out of yourself and you’re putting yourself in another world in a way. Take me out of my nonsense and put my focus onto something else that’s more beneficial.”
His favorite thing about On Our Own and Humanim is the people he’s worked with and learned from over the last 21 years.