I must say that Amber truly gives us a "pair of shoes" to walk with her in her peer work as a volunteer on the behavioral health unit at a local hospital. I was so encouraged by her level of commitment, insight, and intentionality that she brings to her peer work. Be encouraged with me as she shares her insights regarding how she views success, her most rewarding experiences and advice she gives to other peers here in NC.
"Peer support is vitally important work that is moving mental health treatment towards a more recovery-oriented system of care and I love being apart of that."
Q: How do you define success?
At the hospital where I volunteer, I meet patients on many different recovery stages. There are patients who have been hospitalized multiple times and there are others who are experiencing a mental health crisis for the first time.
As recovery is a self-directed and non-linear process, I have to "tread lightly" on what I consider success as a peer support specialist. Usually, if I leave the hospital knowing I have given at least one patient a "glimmer of hope", I feel as if my time was well spent.
Personally in my own recovery journey, I define success not in the absence of challenging moods but in the presence of better choices. I used to "beat myself up" when I was feeling down or anxious. Now, I know to accept occasional troublesome moods as a part of life and to focus on how I respond.
Amber Luckey
" I define success not in the absence of challenging moods but in the presence of better choices."
Q: What is a typical day and week like for you?
When I first arrive on the behavioral health units , I notify the staff I am there. Sometimes, they will direct me to a specific patient they feel could benefit the most from peer interactions. Otherwise, I simply introduce myself to my peers and explain my role as a peer support specialist. Then, I listen. I am happy to answer questions about my own mental health challenges, but I am quite aware that I am not there to tell stories about myself. My main objective is to empower the patients to feel they can take control of their mental health.
Occasionally, I attend staff meetings to offer a patients perspective and group therapy to help facilitate participation.
Q: What's your advice for those entering the field?
First and foremost, I think it is important to be stable in your own recovery before entering the field. At times, providing peer support has been very challenging, even more so than I imagined before I started. I often feel I need "a peer support support group."
Q: What wellness tools do you use in your own life?
Outside of traditional mental health treatments, The practice of my Catholic faith has been first and foremost in my healing. I also enjoy exercising , spending time with friends, and coloring. ( as silly as it may sound for a grown up.) Volunteering has certainly helped me maintain my wellness. There are times when I am experiencing challenges moods when I ask myself "what would I tell a patient in this situation.?" I can not be a role model for recovery if I don't consciously live it out in my own life.
Q: What have been your most rewarding experiences?
I always find my work rewarding, so that is a tough question for me to answer. I suppose when I hear the phrase " that gives me hope" from a patient I am most overwhelmed with joy.
Q: What motivates and inspires you to "keep at it"?
I have become aware that peer support specialist truly do have something to offer to the recovery process of those seeking treatment that those without lived experienced cannot . This becomes especially clear as I often have to "mediate" or "translate" between patients and providers.
Peer support is vitally important work that is moving mental health treatment toward a more recovery oriented system of care and I love being apart of that.
Q: What are your recommendations towards professional development?
As a teacher by profession, I love to learn. I certainly feel that professional development is critical in any field. Recently, I was able to attend a four hour "trauma informed care" class at the hospital and immediately found the information useful to my practice of peer support.
I would say it is important to seek out opportunities that is relevant to your position. But professional development doesn't always have to be a class with a certificate at the end. Take time to read and follow the latest research and news. I have several behavioral health organizations "liked" on my facebook page and I always read the articles they share.
Q: What recovery champions most inspire you?
The first person who comes to mind is my amazing peer support trainer Ted Thomas. I still quote him sometimes to my patients. He once told me "now you know Amber that life doesn't have to be that way." And that is the message I try to spread to them. " You may be feeling down now, but I promise you , life doesn't have to be this way."
"Joy to you Amber, as you continue on her journey in your peer work and your own recovery."-Bryan
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