On and off since early 2006. I heard about DRC at a Spanish Peer Self-Advocacy (PSA) Training where a DRC staff member was presenting about our patient’s rights and self-advocacy skills to the mental health community at the Latino Client Coalition in Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, Office of Client’s Rights.

Being someone with lived experience, it was a revelation. I realized the breach of confidentiality about my peers and my diagnosis was disclosed in a group setting. I identified with that based on my psychiatric hospitalizations at one point in time.

I didn’t understand many of the things that had happened to me. Just thinking about when we were being informed how medication can be used as a form of chemical restraint and I was like ‘wait what do you mean? Oh, that’s what was happening.’ So, I started connecting all these dots and I just said, ‘wouldn't it be great if I could be part of this organization where I too can make others aware and share some of the knowledge I was obtaining.’

It's really rewarding because I'm in a position where we all have this desire to be of support, to teach, and help people build those strengths and self-advocacy abilities and skills.

I supervise the overall functions of a statewide team who educates peers, service providers, and the community about rights to access programs and services for people with mental health disabilities.

I educate peers about their rights, benefits, services and how to self-advocate for their expressed interests. I train providers to recognize stigma, discrimination and support expressed interest for those they serve. I inform those who provide support to peers about peer’s individual rights and personal autonomy. I also collaborate with community peer groups and peer leaders.

One of the things that I like is we get to see people’s [clients’] growth come full circle. They start speaking up for themselves, they start coming out of that inner shell of insecurity and being more assertive when they present themselves.

Yes, I’m a person with disabilities who has deep roots in navigating mental health systems, other health conditions, and lately physical disabilities where my mobility has been impacted.

I have served my fellow peers in the mental health community providing patient’s rights educational training, housing navigation resources, disability benefits counseling, employment mentoring, and ADA rights orientations.

I feel really connected and proud to serve our mental health community. I’ve had the privilege and opportunity to provide trainings, educational workshops, and community awareness events.

This has been something that I’ve been so connected to since childhood. It’s not just my wellness journey, but it’s also my professional journey.

Intersections, a Turkish language series on Netflix. I came across it just out of curiosity. The subtitles were in Spanish, the language was in Turkish. Many twists and turns and lives revolve around a young boy who lost his mom to an illness.

I connected with the many intersections that were being presented. It’s just a way to see how people’s lives can be intertwined. The big impact that small interactions can have with people.

The ‘lead from where you are at’ concept has empowered me to continue making decisions that impact the lives of peers in locked facilities and those on our team who serve them.

I’m just fortunate to be at an agency where we all really enjoy what we do to be that support to people and be that support to each other.

I’m a member of the mental health ERG.

Embrace your uniqueness, quirks, flaws, and do not let anyone tell you are not good enough.

As a 13-year-old, I think back on the uncertainty of life, the pressures of youth. Being 13 and being fearful of a lot of what is to come, I could really tell myself ‘just be you, be strong’ there was so much going on at the age of 13 for me.

My biggest accomplishment was to overcome the fear of losing my disability benefits once I started working. I didn’t lose them, but I sure was fearful, and I learned that other peers identify with that fear. There are work incentives from social security, but I can tell you I had a fear of the word “work,” it was so intimidating.

Early in my advocacy work in October of 2010 I was provided the Ron Wright Award for providing services to underserved communities. That really empowered me to say hey, your work has not gone by unrecognized.

During the Pandemic in October 2020, I studied and took the test to become a National Certified Peer Specialist. That was a big accomplishment, that certificate was through mental health America.

Don’t be too hard on yourself, be patient, persistent and you will persevere. This motto just came out of my own lived experience. I would tell myself the 3 p’s: be patient, persistent and persevere—things will happen at their own pace.

I am told that I am knowledgeable, compassionate, and supportive.

I spend time outdoors admiring nature’s elements and the beauty it brings with each season. I enjoy the beach, it’s grounding to stand in the cool breeze.

I don’t take it for granted being outdoors. In times I haven’t been able to be outside I bring the outside in like through taking care of a little succulent or incorporating a small fountain.