April is Volunteer Recognition Month, and MHAOhio is grateful to have so many volunteers supporting our programs.
One of those volunteers, Jenny Schoning, began donating her time to the agency about six years ago after attending one of MHAOhio’s fundraising events. Her son, who was diagnosed with a severe mental illness at age 17, had begun to improve and she was looking for a way to give back to families on the same recovery journey.
“I became a facilitator for MHAOhio’s Families in Touch support group to share my lived experience,” she said.
MHAOhio’s Families in Touch support group, a group specifically for individuals caring for a family member with a mental illness, is a safe space to learn from others, share joys and challenges, and gain support from people who have similar experiences. They discuss how to support a loved one and also manage their own mental health.
“I want people to know they are not alone,” Jenny said, “I don’t always have answers, but I can bring compassion and empathy because I’ve lived it.”
When her son was first hospitalized, she had no knowledge of mental illness or how to navigate the mental health system. She was grateful for the support of family and friends, but they didn’t have experience with mental illness, either. They were all left feeling confused, scared, and overwhelmed.
“I love that a support group is a unique space where people can share their concerns, emotions, or experiences without judgment,” Jenny said. “I’ve learned that sharing your first-hand experiences not only helps people facing similar challenges, but also helps to de-stigmatize mental illness itself. The more open you are, the more open others will be, and I believe storytelling saves lives.”
Jenny recently joined the Family Advocate Team, and she finds it rewarding when someone tells her that what she shared helped them in some way. She gives people a sense of hope that recovery is possible.
Jenny encourages anyone who is considering becoming a volunteer to do it.
“Saying yes not only helps others, it gives you an opportunity to learn and connect with a caring and compassionate community,” she said.
Thank you, Jenny, and to all of our program volunteers, for your time and dedication to MHAOhio. We appreciate you.
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