Hello, I am a fulltime Certified Peer Support Specialist at a State Hospital. I was diagnosed at 15 with Schizoaffective Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder. I work with adolescents and adults. I run 4 groups a week along with several 1:1 sessions. I started volunteering 2 years ago and within 10 months was offered a part time contract, 2 months after that I applied for a fulltime position. Before volunteering I had been working on my recovery for 6 years. I was able to get to a point in my recovery where I no longer needed medications. When I started the fulltime position I became a little overwhelmed, not by the peers, the staff. My auditory and visual hallucinations started to become present and I began a low dose of Zyprexa 2.5mg. I love what I do. I am so thankful that I get to talk to all these beautiful people everyday and empower them to live their life the way they want to. I tell my recovery story and use this tool to let other peers know that MI is not who they are but an obstacle they can overcome. I am so grateful that you have chosen to use your life experience with MI to empower and inspire others. Much love and peace.