VCH Vancouver Peer Support Program Coordinator receives Resiliency Award
At this year’s PSR/RPS Canada & PSR BC National Conference, Renea Mohammed, a Peer Support Program coordinator with VCH Vancouver’s Mental Health and Addiction Services, was one of two people who received the Resiliency Award. This award is presented to an individual who is or has been in recovery, whose leadership is exemplary in the advocacy for, operation of and/or sustaining of community programs and supports. The award also honours individuals who have inspired others through their courage, hope and determination while overcoming obstacles with mental illness/health.
Renea was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in 1997, a diagnosis that recently changed to schizoaffective disorder. Despite her rough journey with illness, including multiple hospitalizations, suicide attempts and being placed on extended leave twice, Renea completed a Masters in Library and Information Studies Degree and later the Douglas College Community Mental Health Worker Program where she graduated as class valedictorian.
When asked about her views on recovery, Renea says “I see recovery as not about a cure, but rather about living beyond the illness, living a life that is satisfying and meaningful. I see it as something that everyone can aspire to achieve, regardless of the presence or absence of symptoms.”
In addition to her day to day work as a peer support coordinator at VCH, Renea and a peer colleague have also presented at the inaugural National Peer Support Conference in 2013, sharing findings from a qualitative research study that looked at the experience of individuals who have taken the Peer Support Training in Vancouver. This work sets a solid foundation for continuous advancement in peer support training and is informing changes to the Vancouver Peer Support Training program that are currently in the process of being implemented.
More recently, Renea has been instrumental in bringing the work of the international Hearing Voices Network to the attention of staff and leaders in Vancouver Mental Health Services. She forged partnerships to secure funding and to host two successful visits by internationally renowned leaders in the field to our city. She successfully advocated for the creation of Vancouver Voices and Visions, Vancouver’s first support group for voice hearers based on the Hearing Voices Network. She has also played a supportive role in a research study to further develop the knowledge of the Hearing Voices Network. Her recovery journey not only helps her to live beyond the illness, it enables her to initiate new programs such as hearing voices groups that engage people with lived experience and generate evidence for needed and relevant recovery oriented Psychosocial Rehabilitation Practices.
Congratulations to Renea on her Resiliency Award!