Introducing Maria and Jackie! Two Peer Specialists at 7 Cups and community extraordinaires!
We are so excited to announce two of our Peer Specialists to the community! You may already know them, as they have been active in some subcommunities for the last few months. Please get to know them here!
Maria, aka @Ladyofthesea458, has been a Peer Specialist for 10 years, she loves her work and is passionate about being able to bring hope to others through her own lived experiences that would make their own journey more empowering. She enjoys the outdoors and meeting new people.
You may have probably seen Maria in the Family & Caregivers or 50+ subcommunities!
Jackie, aka @Jackie, has been a Peer Specialist for little over 4 years and her favorite part of being a recovery specialist is to listen and make others feel heard. She strives to become someone she once needed the most. She enjoys playing with her 3 dogs and she loves food adventures with her sister.
You have probably seen Jackie in the Trauma and Addiction subcommunities!
We love it when our staff get involved in the communities, it is so helpful for them to see how it works and help us brainstorm. We are thrilled that Maria and Jackie will continue participating in their subcommunity roles, including testing some special projects like leading some Peer AMA sessions (to be announced).
Please say hello here!
Thank you both Maria and Jackie for your work. What would you say is the most challenging aspect of being a Peer Specialist?
What is the most rewarding?
@DaveMcGrath Hi, thanks for your post. I would have to say that one of the most challenging things for me is dealing with Stigma, it's everywhere and even in my own family. The most rewarding is when I can motivate someone to do better because I have shared my own experience with them. Again, thank you for the warm welcome
Hey Dave! I actually had to sit a bit and think about this. I think my biggest challenge in supporting others are my limited personal lived experience. Theres definitely areas where I am more compassionate about and have more empathy. I think thats why organizations are most successful when they have many peer support specialist from different spectrum of lives. We all bring different values to the party! Gathered in such large spectrum of sub communities make 7cups so much more valuable as an organization. No community fits everyone exactly the same, but here on 7cups, we have a voice to where we want to belong to. Thats power. Thats rare.
@DaveMcGrath
@Jill7cups
Hi Jackie and Maria 
I think I've seen both of you around before.
@ilikecake22
Had to add a question: is tea made in the microwave real tea?
@ladyofthesea458 @jackie
@ilikecake22 this is a very important question! Good call! We must know!
@ilikecake22
hi! Tea? I thought its 7cups of Coffee! Lol
I prefer warm cup of coffee any day but I do enjoy tea every once in awhile. If I am going to drink a nice cup of tea, it will be made properly. I will not be microwaving. Haha!
@Jackie
oh good, can you tell Kate that?
@ilikecake22 ha ha ha
@ilikecake22 It can be, however real tea should not 
No microwave tea here!
@Ladyofthesea458
Good answer!
we ❤ our peers!
@Heather225
we love you too!
@Heather225 We love you too H
Hello my name is Skye, nice to meet you.
Hi there!
@Fireskye13
@Fireskye13 Hi! Nice to meet you too! Welcome to 7 cups, you will love it here!
@Jill7cups
Maria and Jackie, thank you both for being there to offer support!! It's always nice getting know a little more about the 7cups family! 💕💕
Hey Maria and Jackie, I'm pretty new here so it's really nice to meet you! 
What are your job scopes as Peer Specialists, and what does a regular day on the job look like?
@SevenSolstice
Hey there! I can't speak for all peer specialist. I think it really depends on your prior training and your state certification standard. What I use to do as a peer specialist might be very different from another peer specialist working in different program/organization. But generally, peer specialist are someone who has direct lived experience as a mental health consumer who has walked their own path of recovery. Many of us identify as someone who is "recovered" but I personally don't. I still fall out of space just like everyone. Just like people with or without mental health problems. I am a human!
At my last job, I helped support my clients by coordinating client logistics; referring "linking" them to outpatient services after their major crisis. I was able to help ones who were at their rock bottom as I worked primarily in contracted organizations where ones who survived from suicide attempts or psychotic state of mind would be discharged after a clinical assesment. I have also carried case load of my own clients who needed extra support. Either that's introducing/referring them to community resources or helping ones connect with housings, substance detox center, rehab, and other transitional housing types. I was a bridge between the clients who are in need for support--- to---- other entities that's going to better their quality of life.
Obviously, as a 7cups peer speciaist I do not have the same duties as I did prior. This is honestly the most innovative way any organization has tried to utilize peer specialist. I can honestly say I am super excited to be part of this pioneering adventure! There's still alot of ideas among our team that's floating around but we are not in rush! We are so excited to hear back from the most important part of 7cups. Members and listeners!
I hope to see you around and thank you for being the best part of our team.
Hey @Jackie!
That was a really thorough response, thanks for taking the time to write it! I definitely learned a thing (or three) from it. I actually wasn't aware that peer support specialists were a mental healthcare role, but now that I do it makes so much sense.
Anyway thank you again, I'll see you around!
@Jackie
@SevenSolstice Hey there! Welcome to 7 cups, you will love it here! I am here to give support when needed and to just listen to you all.....what have you found to be exciting here on the site so far?
@Ladyofthesea458 Hey Maria! Good to have you here! Hmm what's exciting on the site... that moment just before I click to accept a general chat request, up until I settle into the chat! Hello social anxiety, how nice of you to join us!
But on a serious note, it's been great receiving positive feedback at the end of chats and through reviews. Knowing that the person on the other side has actually benefited from your time and effort is pretty rewarding. I'd still be interested in doing this sort of work without the feedback system, but it certainly does help to reassure when self doubt worms its way into my thoughts. :)
@Ladyofthesea458 @Jackie
It's so great to see you both around!
@AnyaS
Thank you Anya! ;-)
@Ladyofthesea458 @Jackie Yay, welcome to the community! I'm amazed how experienced you are in the field and I'm looking forward to seeing your contributions here onsite. ❤
Pineapples on pizza, yay or nay? 🍕🍕🍕
@Erato
Funny how you asked! Jillian and I both love pineapples on our pizza! @jill7cups
@Jackie @Erato hee hee hee and last night we were discussing the idea of coconut on pizza. Watch out world!
@Jill7cups
Don't you dare. I accept pineapple, but coconut is too far
@Erato I love pineapple! I say Yay!!
So glad to have you two as Peer Supporters for our community!
- Jacob
@MrJacob Thank you!!
Thanks Jacob!
@MrJacob
@Jill7cups
Big welcome to Jackie and Maria
@brilliantTurtle89 Thank you!!
@brilliantTurtle89
Thank you for the warm welcome! See you around
