E30: TOLWM + Silen Wellington x Experts of Our Own Experience

Every month is Mental Health Awareness Month, but in May, we turn up the volume and encourage the world to talk about mental health and offer hope for those struggling by highlighting options for help. In my local community, we have made great strides to support those suffering from mental health challenges, and Yarrow Collective is a brilliant example of the good that has grown in the last several years since a sales tax increase was passed to directly support Larimer County Behavioral Health Services.

Silen Wellington is the Director and Peer Support Group Facilitator at Yarrow Collective, a nonprofit peer-run organization here in Northern Colorado offering mental health support ‘by and for’ people with lived experience of mental health and substance use struggles. With a team of other wonderful humans, they facilitate Yarrow's Alternatives to Suicide, Unity in Community for BIPOC, Genderqueer Peers (for transgender & Nonbinary folks), Chronic Illness & Disability Peer Support, and ECHO teen groups. All of their support groups are free, drop-in spaces.

Silen and I share a meaningful cast discussing Peer Support and bits and pieces of our own journeys to becoming experts of our own experience, a freeing and empowering concept that promotes connection and community and co-creating inclusive, non-judgemental spaces where healing can happen.

Peer support uses the power of relationships to create meaningful connections, learn and grow together, challenge and expand our worldviews, be accountable in our relationships, and move towards what we want to do or be.   ~ Yarrow Collective

Website: https://www.yarrowcollective.org
Facebook and Instagram: @yarrowcollectivecolorado
David Whyte's "Revelation Must Be Terrible"