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Lorraine, a former ICMHA program participant, suspects that she’d been dealing with depression and anxiety for most of her life. “There were times when I cried uncontrollably for no reason or couldn’t face getting out of bed. The fear I felt, the panic, that would come out of nowhere.” On top of dealing with depression and anxiety, Lorraine’s symptoms were misunderstood and stigmatized. “I was called lazy, stuck-up, a loser.”
“I was hospitalized in January of 2019. My employer at the time became concerned when I had missed three shifts and was unreachable, they requested a safety check from the police,” shared Lorraine.
Despite the circumstances of her hospitalization, Lorraine’s life changed for the better in January 2019. “The psychiatrist gave me a referral to ICMHA and that would create the biggest change in me.”
After being connected with ICMHA, Lorraine participated in the GROW program where she learned tools to improve her mental health and also made some “wonderful, supportive friendships.” Lorraine’s experience with GROW gave her hope and helped her find community on her journey to recovery.
Because of how powerful her experience had been for Lorraine, she jumped at the opportunity to become a Peer Support Worker at ICMHA in 2022. “If you talk to a clinician, they have an educational idea of what you’re going through, but a peer support worker knows it firsthand.” She’s proud to be a part of the team cultivating community for the people ICMHA serves. “ICMHA feels like a little village and everyone knows one another and looks out for each other,” shared Lorraine. “Even if you’re just coming in for a cooking class or an art class, it’s an opportunity to be with people and have community. You get to know everyone when you’re here and find people who are willing to be there for you.”
Being able to share her passion for baking and cooking through Cooking Club has been a highlight for Lorraine and continues to help her be successful in recovery. “Now as I approach my 58th birthday, I can truly say that I am happier, healthier and more confident than I have ever been in my life, ICMHA and being a Peer Support Worker are a major part of that.
