Hi Victoria! My name is Taylore E., and I have Clinical Depression (sort of the the AA greeting...:-)

Recently I had the opportunity to watch the program with yourself and Rafe Maier. Nothing short of phenomenal! I would like to know how you began as a group facilitator and mental health worker (as per your profile on ProSpeak.) I have come to a place within my own life where I feel I could help families, patients, employers and employees with this demon, but would like your advise/opinion/wisdom.

I thank you for your frankness, and humor and await your response.

Cheers! - Taylore

Hi Taylore,
Thanks for the kudos. People who have the ‘been-there-done-that' experience of mental illness can have enormous positive impact to those just entering acceptance and treatment. Hope is a powerful motivator. It's great you are thinking of giving back and willing to offer your hard-earned wisdom.

I began in the mental health field in 1996, applying for a very part-time position at the North and West Vancouver branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association as I re-entered the workforce. At the time I was completing work placement experience through a vocational rehab program dedicated to helping people with mental illness. I can't say enough. My job coach was instrumental in giving me the confidence to apply for the position and guidance around interviewing, resumes and objectively assessing my work readiness. If you are feeling shaky about getting a job, a voc rehab program with work placements offers excellent opportunities and instruction. If you are ready to jump in, I encourage you to seek out a job coach specializing in return to work. He or she can be a priceless ally, assisting you in your search and giving you practical tips when evaluating the kind of employment you would like.

I was very gun-shy about returning to a job. I had little confidence and worried about my stamina. Maintaining my mental health was my number one priority, so I know I needed an understanding boss and work environment. I found that at the CMHA. I got hired as, what the branch calls, a ‘hobnobs program networker'. ‘Hobnobs' is an educational and social evening the association holds every Wednesday where local speakers talk on various health topics. I assisted in event organization, paperwork and follow-up. It was an excellent re-entry into the world of work. Little formal training was required, but it was important to have an understanding of psychiatric disorders. Well, that I had.

After a year or so, I began taking shifts as a mental health worker at the branch's clubhouse facilitating group activities: cooking, crafts, creative writing and special events. Individuals with severe chronic mental illness (often who had a dual diagnosis) came to the centre to learn and augment various skills. A full-time mental health worker position came up and I applied. My personal experience with mental illness and counseling along with my recent time at the clubhouse and ‘Hobnobs' gave me excellent preparation. The hiring committee must be commended because although I had no formal mental health worker training, they saw the strengths and skills my life experience could bring to the job.

Within that job, I co-facilitated several psycho-educational support groups for people with mood disorders, anxiety and other mental illnesses. I put my real life ‘war wounds' to use. It was a privilege to be a part of every group. Resources and stories were shared. People gained confidence and insight.

I left the full-time mental health worker position at the clubhouse, but continue to work as a contract group facilitator at the local health region.

I acquired further experience and skills by working at a downtown Eastside drop-in centre. It was intense front-line work working with a very different population. Again I led groups, supervised the drop-in and helped clients gain social skills.

There are many ways to enter the field of mental health. It depends on what you would like to do, where you would like to work, what background you already have and what training you are interested in taking.

Regional colleges usually offer very good mental health worker certificates. Volunteering at the facilities you would eventually like to work provides excellent experience, as well as future references. Your local CMHA or OBAD may offer peer support training. This is an excellent way to use your personal journey. Some mental health societies also are in the need of speakers to help in their public education programs. That's a great way to learn if you like public speaking or if you would rather facilitate.

If you are interested in providing one to one therapy, it's essential to get the proper training. Your local university will have information on counseling psychology degrees. Also let the executive directors or managers of your nearby mental health agencies know of your interest and see what positions they have open and what the requirements are. You will find some jobs require a university education, while others do not. Networking with the E.D.s is an advantage because if they need a volunteer or have an opening they will already know of you and of your interest and enthusiasm.

Good luck with your job search. Let me know what happens. Your own experience of going through mental illness and coming out on the other side is not only valuable information you can draw upon, but also will be inspiring to those people with whom you work. We need as many insider's stories as possible.

Warmest, Victoria