After the Fall semester ended in 2022, I had the privilege to be involved in Peer Specialist Training, which was suggested by one of the co-founders at Peer Support Space. I am currently a facilitator for the Black LGBTQ+ Space, which takes place over Zoom every other Saturday. Peer Support Space plans on opening up a Respite, which will be an alternative to traditional mental health spaces when it comes to mental health crises. 

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During this training, I learned a lot about what peer support specialists do, as well as how they differ from different mental health specialists. With these differences existing, I was able to see what my capacity will be as I seek to be certified as a Peer Support Specialist in the future, as well as the skills I can carry over as I want to go into a Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology. 

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I always enjoy not being the smartest person in the room. During this training, that definitely was the case. I learned so much about other people's personal experiences, which is such an honoring feeling to feel. The fact that people are willing to be vulnerable with one another—despite the risks—is something that is so important to honor in this life. When I came in earlier that week, I noticed the schedule, and I saw that we had to do a presentation regarding our own personal story of recovery. This was nerve-wracking, but I was honestly glad that I did it and was able to share. As life tends to move quickly, we sometimes forget to pause and realize the steps that we have taken to improve and recover from the things that caused us harm or that were used as coping mechanisms in challenging situations. Everyone in the room was so accepting and welcoming, and I'm so grateful that I was able to hold space with them all, including our facilitators, Maria and Miss Carole. 

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Grace is sometimes so easy to give to others but is so hard to provide to ourselves, and when I go through tough moments, as I am wrapping up my semester at UCF, a lot of the coping skills we learned in the room are things that I utilize to this day.