Graduation by Susan L.

  There's a graduation ceremony tonight for the participants of PREFER (Peer Recovery Education for Employment and Resiliency) who have met all the criteria of the program. This means that all eight required courses are completed, at least ten monthly meetings were attended and one summit. It's a thoughtful gesture. Many who have gone through this amazing program have never graduated from anything. A certificate of achievement means a lot. 
  This isn't an accredited program but that is in the works as well. A group in Toronto is looking into ways to formalise peer support without the regimented testing required by other graduate programs. Peer support is all based on lived experience. How can that be tested?
  The PREFER program comprised of WRAP, Wellness Recovery Action Planning. A life changing approach originated by Mary Ellen Copeland that is now being adapted for first responders, police, and nurses to name a few. It develops self awareness and reveals personal coping skills and strengths for when things get tough. I think it is something everyone should take. It is so successful, it is now offered world wide.
  Like Minds was an eye opener for me. It uncovered a lot of my own deep rooted, but hidden prejudices surrounding not just around my own mental health challenges but about lifestyle choices and addictions. It dovetailed into Anti-Oppression training. Both of these are all about the rights we have to make decisions regarding our own lives.( A lot of it was about using recovery based language. Mental health challenges vs. mental illness.) GAM, Gaining Autonomy over Medications is also part of reclaiming control over what happens to us. So often the medical system systematically robs us of our basic human rights. Mental illness is often viewed as being mentally deficient. So not true!
  The Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention training was, for me, the most challenging. This is precious human life we're talking about. Yet, when push comes to shove, my trust is that the Lord will lead me to do what is needed to help another. He's already done that.
  The part that stretched me the most was facilitator training for both WRAP and another recovery based program called Pathways to Recovery. It involved learning how to take on a leadership role without becoming a teacher. That's tough. But then, we are all our own best experts. A good facilitator gets the group learning and growing from itself.
  Lastly was an Employment Support Workshop. It helped deal with the practical side of job hunting: a resume and the like.
  I truly hope they find the funding necessary to continue the program. It was a three year pilot project, a successful one. Many of the peer supporters trained through PREFER have gone on to successful paid jobs. Many have been able to volunteer their skills. Others grew personally in leaps and bounds.
  I know without this, I would not be working at the Krasman Centre. My monthly column would not exist, neither would my blog. So for me, the biggest gift was gaining the confidence, the self esteem, the willingness to try and rise above and beyond my challenges, mental and otherwise.
  And that, my friends, is cause for celebration!
  Thank You Lord for this, for the safe travelling into the city, for the means needed and most of all thank You for the good company I had on this journey.
  "The preparations of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord." Prov 16:1