It was actually no coincidence these men were dressed alike. But the odds were tremendous—perhaps nothing short of miraculous—that they were being honored and awarded on this day. These men were among the first Certified Peer Specialists to graduate from a peer training course within a State prison. (The very first eight inmates graduated one month earlier at the Greensburg, Pennsylvania facility.) Remarkably, the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (PDC) is the only prison system in the world to pioneer a project of this nature. Upon completion of the course, graduates are eligible to work as peer support specialists in the prison, providing support to fellow inmates.

The 13 men had successfully completed a 2-week peer employment training course delivered by Recovery Innovations. An internationally recognized program, the course prepares people with lived experience of mental illness to provide empowering peer support for those beginning recovery journeys. It is an intense, university-level course, which consists of a 230-page textbook, nightly reading and homework assignments, a substantial midterm exam, an evaluated oral exam, and a comprehensive final exam. Not only were these men setting a global precedent, but they had each graduated with an “A” grade!

On the other side of the aisle sat various officials from PDC, including Secretary of Corrections John Wetzel, Superintendent Kenneth Cameron, Re-Entry Program Manager and project grant writer Mary Finck, and other State administrators, therapists, social workers, and officers. When Superintendent Cameron approached the podium, he looked at the graduates and said very frankly, “I’ve got to tell you that when we were first told about this project in our initial meeting, we were very skeptical. However, the more we thought about it, [the more] we began to realize we had an amazing opportunity to really use your skills here in the prison and ultimately provide you with a wonderful re-entry career on the outside.”

The graduates then shared some of their stories and what the class meant to them. A more senior graduate said taking the class helped him realize he was “in prison” long before he was actually there. But now he had hope. A younger graduate said, “To think that I once considered myself a ‘throwaway person’ and now I can be a true blessing to others—this is absolutely incredible!”

Everyone provided their full attention as a tall and strongly built graduate walked to the podium. He began to share his compelling story, but suddenly stopped. As he turned his head toward the prestigious guests, he took a deep breath and spoke in almost a whisper. “We want you to know that we are feeling very overwhelmed by your presence today. It tells us that you don’t see us [merely] as prisoners, but as men who can give something valuable to others.”

Perhaps many of the guests wondered about the odds of what they witnessed that day—13 men dressed alike, yet each so unique. I’m not sure of the number for those odds, but I do know a more significant number will be the people whose lives they’ll touch.

Shared here with permission from the: Recovery To Practice (RTP) Weekly Highlights

Click on the “Badge” below and you will be connected to am interactive map on the federal government’s cutting edge consumer healthcare website, HealthCare.gov. Select your state and get web links and information for the Consumer Assistance Program. The caseworkers can help you find and enroll in a health plan that meets your needs and to appeal when an insurer denies a claim for covered benefits. The program can also help you understand your legal lights and options if you are losing health insurance.

But what kinds of questions should I be asking my doctor? Those are the things that I always think of when something happens but never remember when I actually get into the doctor’s office. Below are some of my own personal suggestions and I would recommend you writing them down (whichever ones suit you the best) and keep them in your pocket at all times so that you can’t forget when you attend your medical appointments:

General Questions:

• What is my ideal body weight supposed to be?
• How can I learn to manage stress better?
• How can I make regular exercise a part of my life when I’m so busy all the time?
• Could you please explain my test results to me (blood test, screens, exams, x-rays, etc.)?
• What would be a good “diet” for me to go on?

With regards to medical care in general:

• What might have caused this illness?
• What is this illness called?
• Is this illness likely to go away on its own?
• Is the pain likely to diminish or go away?
• How do you want to treat this illness?
• What are other ways to treat this illness?
• What is the time frame for this illness?
• Is a hospital stay necessary?
• What lifestyle changes should I begin to make sure this doesn’t happen again?

Although this might sound like a lot, questions ARE the answer when it comes to your own well-being. People with Mental Illness are dying 25 years earlier than the general population. With even a start of preventative measures such as the ones above, we can and will make those statistics change for the better. Good luck!

In Wellness. . . .Mary Beth

Women are very different from men. While we share many common traits as human beings, we don’t share all of the same health concerns. Some conditions are more common in women. Here are some good sources to learn more – including some practical, easy things you can add into your life right away:

Women’s Mental Health: What It Means To You is a great publication by the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Office on Women’s Health. Click womenmentalhealth to access this 22-page booklet which is packed with helpful information of specific interest to women.

Another fantastic resource to support women’s health can be found in the Health Education Answers section of our web site. Click here and then choose “Launch” to access this interactive site!