What is your position with Ellipsis?
I’m a family peer support specialist.
How long have you worked here?
I’ve worked at Ellipsis for about 15 months.
Have you had any other roles/jobs during your tenure with Ellipsis?
I’ve always been a family peer support specialist at Ellipsis.
What drew you to work at Ellipsis?
I love working with kids of all ages. If there is a way I can help a kid with a situation, I am willing to do so. Sometimes kids can’t talk to their parents or don’t feel like they can trust them. If they trust me, I will try my best to lend a listening ear and help them.
Can you recall a moment (during your career with Ellipsis) when you felt like you were in exactly the right place, doing exactly what you should be doing? What was that like?
Just last month, one of the parents I work with called me to tell me how much she appreciates all of the things I do for her and her son. She told me her that I am part of their parenting toolbox to help their family be the best it can be. Hearing that was very rewarding.
What are some of the more challenging aspects of this job?
Sometimes it can be tough connecting families with resources that they need because there may be waitlists for some services. If that happens, we try to find something to bridge that gap.
What are some of the rewarding aspects of the job?
I love sharing my experience with mental health and helping families advocate for themselves. It’s so important to help them gain a better understanding of self-confidence and how to have control over their lives.
Why is it important to have residential programs in communities and qualified people working in them?
Without well-developed and structured residential treatment programs, kids that suffer with mental health difficulties may fail to take medications, perform effective self-care and engage in beneficial social relationships.
What is a misconception people may have about mental health treatment? How do you dispel that?
A common misconception is that someone who experiences mental health struggles can never be normal, which is not true. People with mental health difficulties can live a normal life with medication and support programs. We are here to help youth and families reach their full potential, and that can mean improving mental health.
If there’s anything else you’d like to add about your role, please feel free to do so!
You can always reach out to Ellipsis for help.