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This Mental Health Awareness month, we’re proud to share an individual in our Behavioral Health program actively making a difference in his community.<\/p>\n
Stephen Foster found Humanim at exactly the right time in his life. Diagnosed with schizo-affective disorder in 2003, he was in a dark place. \u201cIt was debilitating,\u201d he says. \u201cIt was like my bed was a magnet and my body was metal as far as trying to get up out of bed.\u201d But his grandmother, always a cheerleader for her beloved grandson, never stopped looking for ways to support Stephen as he dealt with his depression, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts.<\/p>\n
One day his psychiatrist recommended to his grandmother that Stephen check out Humanim\u2019s services. So she looked them up, and then in 2004, Stephen started attending the day program at the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Program, a part of Humanim\u2019s programming. He\u2019s been there ever since, partly to learn useful life skills and partly because of the invaluable peer interactions. \u201cThe other clients that attend these programs, they let me know that I\u2019m not alone and I never will be,\u201d he says. They\u2019re all present for each other as a support system throughout their recovery process, whatever it involves.<\/p>\n
Since November of 2018, Stephen has worked as a Peer Recovery Specialist at On Our Own\u2019s Consumer Drop-In Center, which is a wellness and recovery center. \u201cWe help support individuals with behavioral health disabilities, such as mental health and\/or substance use disorders.\u201d Through outings, activities, support groups, and regular daily and weekly check-ins, the center provides an array of services that their clients need to help them get and stay healthy. The Howard County Health Department supports On Our Own in their efforts, sponsoring their work and sending professionals certified by the state in peer support and recovery to assist with such tasks as running group meetings and cooking.<\/p>\n
In the past, in addition to his role at the center Stephen has served as a member representative on the Mental Health Authority Board then on the Local Behavioral Health Advisory Board, all run through the Howard County Health Department. These positions have allowed him to give back to the communities that have helped him so much.<\/p>\n
When he\u2019s not at work, Stephen enjoys teaching himself about new technology through YouTube videos, watching pro wrestling, playing video games, and listening to music. He calls video games and music his greatest wellness tools, particularly music. He says, \u201cIt\u2019s like you\u2019re out of yourself and you\u2019re putting yourself in another world in a way. Take me out of my nonsense and put my focus onto something else that\u2019s more beneficial.\u201d<\/p>\n
His favorite thing about On Our Own and Humanim is the people he\u2019s worked with and learned from over the last 21 years.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
This Mental Health Awareness month, we’re proud to share an individual in our Behavioral Health program actively making a difference in his community. Stephen Foster found Humanim at exactly the right time in his life. Diagnosed with schizo-affective disorder in 2003, he was in a dark place. \u201cIt was debilitating,\u201d he says. \u201cIt was like<\/p>\n