This Volunteer Appreciation Week, MHAOhio would like to extend gratitude to all of the volunteers that make our work possible. The individuals who devote their time to supporting those in need, oftentimes by sharing their own lived experience, are making a huge impact in our community to remove barriers to mental health services and reduce stigma around mental illness.
Derrick Kirkland and David Thomas have been volunteering with MHAOhio since 2019. Together, they’ve helped MHAOhio create a unique support group for those who work as certified Peer Recovery Supporters (PRS). PRS use their lived experience to help others through similar situations by offering professional guidance and support.
The work can be taxing, so the PRS Support Group is a safe place for PRS to talk about their work in the field – and it has become a cornerstone for the growing number of certified PRS in the past few years.
“Many PRS do not work at a place where there is a lot of understanding about what a Peer Recovery Supporter does,” David explained. “So, we want everyone in this group to feel safe and feel comfortable expressing those issues.”
Part of what makes both Derrick and David so vital in this field is their lived experience. Derrick battled a substance use disorder for many years. His addiction co-occurred with anxiety that stemmed from many years of abuse, homelessness, and torment.
“I had to offer myself and find a great deal of humility in order for me to stay sober and to recover,” Derrick explained. “Doing this alone was not an option. Now, my purpose is to carry the message of recovery, and I embrace that. It’s been a divine intervention for me to be a part of this peer recovery movement.”
This year will mark ten years of sobriety for Derrick. For the past six years he has been a certified PRS and currently works as a Peer Support Supervisor at the PEER Center where he helps others who are going through what he went through.
David also battled a substance use disorder and was incarcerated for some time. When he was released, he resolved to become sober and help others do the same.
“When I first found out about peer recovery support I had no idea what I was getting into,” David said. “And here I was as someone who had been in the jails, who had felonies, and I had dealt with the disease of addiction. So, the opportunity to do something that allowed me to use my past to elevate my future was fascinating. But I think what allows me to continue to do this work is that I truly want for others what I want for myself. When I get an opportunity to work with an individual, however briefly, I know our shared experience makes a huge impact.”
In addition to being a certified PRS, David also works as a Community Health Worker in Urban Health for Mount Carmel. We thank Derrick and David for their continued dedication to improving mental health outcomes for so many individuals in our community. It’s all of MHAOhio’s volunteers who truly make the biggest difference in the lives of others.
Click here for more information on how to volunteer with MHAOhio.
