Four years ago, Jon Bommarito was in the midst of a diagnosis with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). He had countless questions and no answers. But outside of his personal journey, the mental health care system was beginning to change. Peer support was emerging as a recognized form of mental health care with life-saving value, and it would soon become a key part of Jon’s life.
Jon was a stay-at-home dad for two years and easily handled the rhythms and messes that come with an infant and toddler. Until one day, he began to struggle with the thought of even touching the son that he loves. The sudden passing of his father and a severe depressive episode seemed to lead to these new symptoms. He spent time in a psychiatric hospital and later continued outpatient treatment. Outpatient treatment seemed to only consist of a meager pamphlet on OCD and the seemingly endless wait for a therapist trained to treat OCD.
His search for support led him to MHAOhio where he was introduced to the GOALS for OCD Support Group. This connection would prove to be life-changing. Upon his recovery, Jon became a volunteer and advocate for GOALS and began the training to become a peer support specialist. He deeply understood the importance of receiving the right care at the right time and was resolved to find his way to help others. This drive led to his career today as the Peer Recovery Support Training Coordinator at MHAOhio.
A Peer Recovery Supporter (PRS) is someone with lived experience of a mental health and/or substance use disorder who is currently in recovery and uses their experience to support, guide, and encourage others in recovery.
“Anyone who is carrying trauma and negativity in life can use that as a positive,” Jon says. “You don’t need to go to school, you just have to really be engaged with people and really want to help others.”
The most rewarding part of Jon’s career is getting to utilize his own experience. Through this system, many people who have worked to recover, whether it’s for OCD, a substance use disorder, or another mental illness, are able to uniquely reach people going through a similar situation.
Jon has seen that people don’t forget about life before recovery, and talking to someone relatable is desired no matter where they are on their journey. He says that for many, talking to a peer is the first time they felt worth something since being diagnosed.
Jon recently celebrated his one-year anniversary on the MHAOhio team. Although the current pandemic has dampened a lot of celebrations like these, the success of PRS training gives this anniversary special meaning. The silver lining of the necessity of delivering virtual training is the increase in the typical number of training opportunities from three in-person sessions to eight virtually.
“It has been hard because some people in recovery don’t have access to a computer, but on the flip side, you have a lot of people who do have access, and now have these opportunities here at home,” he says.
In September, Jon and his family participated in the 1 Million Steps 4 OCD Walk, raising money for the International OCD Foundation. He continues to work tirelessly to raise awareness about his disorder and advocate for the GOALS Support Group.
Learn more about MHAOhio’s Peer Recovery Supporter Services.
