Quote:
Originally Posted by bpenniman
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!