Change of pace
Well, I have big news: I'm leaving my full-time job at the Pennsylvania Prison Society for a full-time job at Horizon House. Though I've enjoyed working with incarcerated people and their families -- and have learned a great deal about the criminal justice system and the evils of mass incarceration -- the Horizon House position as a Certified Peer Specialist Community Liaison will allow me to do more direct advocacy within the Wellness Alliance, a new program. Horizon House was one of three agencies selected by Philadelphia’s Department of Behavioral Health /Mental Retardation Services (DBH/MRS) to transform the agency’s partial hospital services into a recovery-oriented service. It should be interesting and challenging. And it's a position that allows me not only to be "out" about my mental illness, but depends on my sharing my recovery experience. Refreshing not to have to hide anything -- or everything.
I'll still be doing the blog, writing my column, and writing Lit Gloss for PW. But I suspect I'll have an even more nuanced understanding of mental health issues now that I'll be employed by a mental health agency.
And now, for the Most Depressing Headline of the Day: US Suicide Rates for Young Girls, Boys Up
Interesting -- we're medicating and treating more kids than ever. There's something wrong with that picture.
Comments
Congratulations on your new position!
Sadly, regarding the tragic increase in teen suicides and given your subsequent post about KidsPeace, I find no comfort in the following from the Post Chronicle, "KidsPeace Comes To Youth Aid As Teen Suicide Rate Jumps 8%"
http://www.postchronicle.com/news/health/article_212104114.shtml
Posted by: Joe | September 21, 2007 06:13 PM
Things are bad for kids these days. In school in the 70's I think I had it a lot easier. Back in those days, if kids got in trouble, it was accepted that the parents were making serious mistakes at home. These days the kids are blamed and drugged and tortured. Back then skipping school meant detention hall for a few days, now it means being placed in an alternative school. We're helping our kids to death.
Posted by: Sally | September 22, 2007 10:47 AM
Congrats, Liz!
I do hope things parted on good terms with the prison folks (that doesn't sound right, does it? LOL) even as I'm sure you'll break a leg with your new job.
Posted by: Larry Parker | September 22, 2007 10:56 PM
I currently work as a Certified Peer Specialist at the Horizon House Wellness Alliance program.
We just completed our 1st program newsletter called
WAZ-UP, its zine with all the major contributions from those who attend the WA program.
I am adding a link , so maybe readers can download it?http://chester.nami.org/News/WA1.pdf
I have been working in the MH system for 10 years. My 1st job was with Horizon House Inc. and I am glad to be back.
yes I am a person in recovery, I recieved the 2 week training as a certified peer specialist last year at the Institute of Recovery. http://www.mhrecovery.org/
I am also a new parent, sort of, my daughter is 3 years old.
Her favorite words at the moment are "... I don't want to...."
Posted by: raymond | September 24, 2007 10:49 PM
Good move and a much better fit from what I know about your public/private (you do reveal a lot) personality. Prison health care is a tough tough scene. Community mental health services is a different, more benevolent world.
Posted by: HS | September 25, 2007 10:55 AM