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Old Nov 04, 2016, 05:40 AM
Estelle79 Estelle79 is offline
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Member Since: Nov 2016
Location: Florida
Posts: 1
Quote:
Originally Posted by bpenniman View Post
After my mood has been stabilized on my medications: lamictal, geodon, klonipin, and adderall xr, I feel like I should find a career in mental health. The college I want to enroll in, at the age of 23, has a variety of mental health career options. But I want to be a certified practical counselor in a homeless shelter/guesthouse. I worked in two homeless shelters. One in Toronto, and one in Kansas City. This was when I had undiagnosed bipolar 1 and after my first major manic episode, I had to quit and return home. I was diagnosed bipolar 1. I still get dysthymia but not too bad. Homeless shelters, (I call them guesthouses) have a strong need for counselors. You don't make much, but if it's meant to be, it's what I'd like to do. My passion is for the homeless, and I feel as though I can help all the undiagnosed bipolar homeless people. I would have to say from my experience working at homeless shelters, half are bipolar. I want to make a change in the life of many bipolar homeless. Any thoughts? Any challenges to reaching my goal?
ABSOLUTELY. Check out the 'Certified Recovery Peer Specialist' process in your state. It is designed for people like us with mental illness who want to give back. I have been working as a peer specialist for 3 years-paid. The careers available for those with this certfication or in the process of gaining it have increased exponentially in the last few years. The number 1 criteria for achieving this certification is to have your own diagnosis. Good luck!