In this addition of Peer Support IRL, we connected with Carolyn Hall, an avid supporter of Colorado Mental Wellness Network. Carolyn is one of the pioneers of Peer Support in Colorado as she has over 20 years of experience in
Peer Support IRL (in real life) – With Rochelle Brogan
This week, we got to catch up with a graduate of Colorado Mental Wellness Network’s Peer Support Specialist Training, Rochelle Brogan. In addition to her work in peer support, Rochelle has recently founded a new non-profit in Denver, the Colorado Safe
Looking Back on Alternatives
Earlier this month, Rachel (Peer Support Specialist) and Sarah (Peer Support Specialist Supervisor) attended the 2019 Alternatives Conference in Washington DC. Alternatives, which was founded in 1972, remains an entirely peer planned, organized and hosted conference. Before the conference started
Family in Recovery – Guest Post by Heather
After living in a household for most of my life with a family member who was suffering from severe Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), I understand the emotional roller coaster that accompanies the condition. It was only over the last couple
All About My Diagnosis: Panic Disorder – By Kristen Oldaker
What is a Panic Attack? A panic attack is an abrupt onset of intense fear and/or discomfort that can include at least four of the following symptoms: Palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate, sweating, trembling or shaking, sensations of
Becoming a Peer Specialist – Guest Post by Carrie Baatz
Peer supporters have walked a road through trauma, addiction, mental health conditions or other disabilities. We have made it to another side. On the road, we gained experiential knowledge – understanding you can’t learn from a textbook. Our stories give
How to Deal With Stress and Trauma-Related Insomnia – Guest Post by Amy Highland with SleepHelp.org
Stress and trauma can make it difficult to sleep, leading to insomnia and other sleep struggles. Among adults whose sleep is affected by stress, more than half say stress makes them worry about falling asleep at night. Seven out of
Advocacy 101: Self-advocacy and other advocacy
It’s just the same, only different In recent weeks, this space has seen much discussion around the topic of self-advocacy. It seems a proverbial squeaky wheel that requires constant greasing in our heavy duty, high demand lives. And as such,
#MeToo: Staying well through the conversation about sexual assault
by Ashley Sargent, CMWN Board Member Recently, sexual assault, rape, and the physical traumas women and men are forced to endure has become a common topic in news and conversation. While I am grateful that we as a society are
Wellness Tool Wednesday: Bowling as Meditation with Matt Mague
Let’s roll As readers of this blog probably already know, I am a big fan of wellness tools. Cooking, knitting, walking, and talking are just a few examples of wellness tools one may use everyday. Some of my favorite wellness