SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL RECOVERY MONTH
This year’s theme is: “Every Person, Every Family, Every Community”
which emphasizes that recovery is possible for everyone.
This week our Employee Spotlight is on Steven Schwartz, Administrative Assistant, Community Employment Services
Steven Schwartz
“If my Jawonio story can help even one person see recovery as an option, then that would be completely worth it.”
Diana Hess
Steven Schwartz
Steven, thank you so much for this conversation. Let’s start with your early years in elementary school, what kinds of challenges were you facing?
When I was ten, I was diagnosed with Tourette’s Syndrome, became anorexic, and was afraid to seek help. I became very withdrawn and stopped talking to people.
In my junior year of high school, I felt suicidal every day. Then I was diagnosed with depression in my senior year. This eventually led to a suicide attempt during my last year of college, and it landed me in the hospital after years of suffering.
Steven, thank you so much for this conversation. Let’s start with your early years in elementary school, what kinds of challenges were you facing?
When I was ten, I was diagnosed with Tourette’s Syndrome, became anorexic, and was afraid to seek help. I became very withdrawn and stopped talking to people.
In my junior year of high school, I felt suicidal every day. Then I was diagnosed with depression in my senior year. This eventually led to a suicide attempt during my last year of college, and it landed me in the hospital after years of suffering.
Diana
Following hospitalization, what were your next steps?
Steven
Following hospitalization, along with a variety of medications and treatments, I began seeing a therapist in 2017 and after a few sessions, she suggested that Jawonio, because of it’s reputation and services in the community.
Diana
How did you respond to your therapist’s suggestion?
Steven
I took her advice. I called to find out about the services in the program.
Diana
Who was your first meeting with in the Jawonio PROS(Personalized Recovery Oriented Services) and what was that like?
Steven
I met with Mary Hollender and knew I was in the right place to begin my recovery process. Mary was so incredibly kind, patient, and understanding with me.
Diana
During this initial transition into recovery-based services, program, tell us about your first experiences and impressions?
Steven
During this same time, the PROS staff recommended that I get tested for autism. And in fact, they were absolutely right in their direction. I was diagnosed with autism in addition to my mental health challenges.
Diana
As we always are so proud of, it is the staff at Jawonio that are truly the heart and soul here.
Steven
I couldn’t agree more. I’m so thankful that Jawonio has been the right place for me. The PROS staff has gently challenged me to push beyond my comfort zone and work toward my recovery.
Diana
Where do you think you would be without Jawonio Mental Health Services?
Steven
Prior to the PROS program, there’s no way I could have spoken to you today. With this new understanding, I have begun to accept myself and all my idiosyncrasies.
Diana
That is really wonderful to hear and thank you for your sharing your truth. Just switching gears for a moment, I think you would agree, stigma is still a very real obstacle, how can we do better?
Steven
Thank you. I really think if we talked more openly about mental illness, we would reduce the stigma in our society. If I hide my mental illness I won’t get better. By opening up to you and others, I not only give a voice to myself, but to others who may find it difficult to summon the courage.
Diana
You have been an employee of Jawonio in our Community Employment Services Department as well as continuing to receive services—What has Jawonio meant to you over this period of time?
Steven
I can’t possibly tell you how much the CES staff, and the support and encouragement from our recovery program has meant to me. What Jawonio has meant to me.. well, the truth is Jawonio saved my life. If my Jawonio story can help even one person see recovery as an option, that would be completely worth it.
Steven, can you please share your earliest memories of the kinds of challenges you were facing?
When I was ten, I was diagnosed with Tourette’s Syndrome, became anorexic, and was afraid to seek help. I became very withdrawn and stopped talking to people.
In my junior year of high school, I felt suicidal every day and in my senior year I was diagnosed with depression. I continued to struggle during my college years which eventually led to a suicide attempt in my last year. After years of suffering, I was hospitalized.
Following hospitalization, what were your next steps?
Following hospitalization, along with a variety of medications and treatments, I began seeing a therapist in 2017. After a few sessions, she suggested that I could do well at Jawonio and she talked about their community reputation and specialized services in the community.
How did you respond to your therapist’s suggestion?
I took her advice and I called Jawonio right away.
How did you know you were in the right place?
Once I began speaking with Mary Hollender and knew I was in the right place to begin my recovery process. Mary was so incredibly kind, patient, and understanding with me.
You received an additional diagnosis, tell us about that?
During this same time, the PROS staff recommended that I get tested for autism. And in fact, they were absolutely right in their direction. I was diagnosed with autism in addition to my mental health challenges.
What are you most thankful for?
I’m so thankful that Jawonio continues to be the right place for me. The PROS staff has gently challenged me to push beyond my comfort zone and work toward my recovery.
Where do you think you would be without Jawonio Mental Health Services?
Prior to the PROS program, there’s no way I could have spoken to you today. With this new understanding, I have begun to accept myself and all my idiosyncrasies.
Stigma continues to exist and is very real in our society, how could we do better?
I really think if we talked more openly about mental illness, we would reduce the stigma in our society. If I hide my mental illness I won’t get better. By opening up to you and others, I not only give a voice to myself, but to others who may find it difficult to summon the courage.
Finally, what does Jawonio mean to you at work and in your life?
I can’t possibly tell you how much the support and encouragement from both the staff of the PROS program and Community Employment Services has meant to me. The truth is that Jawonio saved my life. If sharing my story here can help even one person see recovery as an option, then that would be completely worth it.
Thank you Steven for sharing your story with us and for being our employee in the spotlight during National Recovery Month.
where you can find your passion and make a difference in the lives of others.
