From Patient to Advocate: My St. Mary’s Story

I didn't always imagine returning to a psychiatric unit as a professional. For much of my life, these spaces were where I went to survive. Mental health has always been part of my story, shaping how I see the world and how I understand myself.

After years of work that left me feeling disconnected, I knew I needed something different - something rooted in meaning. That search took me to Maui, Hawaii, where I worked as a funeral arranger. Supporting families through profound loss clarified what mattered most to me: that if I was going to work, it had to be in a way that served others.

"I know firsthand how meaningful, compassionate, well-resourced care can be."

When I returned to Maine after 10 years away, I joined St. Mary's as a peer support specialist through Sweetser. For the first time, I walked into a psychiatric unit without being a patient. Standing on the other side of care shifted my perspective and allowed me to imagine a future I hadn't believed was possible.

Stepping into the role of unit secretary felt like a continuation of that growth. I was hesitant, but knowing I could continue facilitating music and art groups helped me say yes. Those moments of shared creativity often open doors to connection that words alone cannot.

Having been hospitalized for mental health reasons 18 separate times, I carry a deep awareness of what it means to be a patient. I try to move through my work with that understanding - offering presence, patience, and small reminders of dignity. Often, it is the quiet gestures that matter most.

One idea guides me more than any other: "The unspoken rule of life is to become the person your younger self would have felt safe with."

That belief continues to shape how I show up, both for others and for myself. As I look ahead, I hope to keep growing alongside St. Mary's and contributing to a culture of care that is thoughtful, compassionate, and human.

And when doubt creeps in, I remind myself - and others - to take off the imposter hat, you are more capable than you know.

I know firsthand how meaningful, compassionate, well-resourced care can be. Now, as a unit secretary, I get to advocate for patients even more and contribute my unique perspective to St. Mary's ongoing growth. With your generosity, St. Mary's continues to strengthen the services that have helped change lives like mine.

Learn More about the mental health services changing lives at St. Mary's.