Mental Health Peer Support Group Video

(2:23)

For more information: Mental Health Services

Debbie Macleod, Patient: I was having trouble with depression, so I went to the emergency room and they cared for me and sent me on to Mesa Vista. That was really hard for me to experience.

She came in and talked to me like a normal person, it kind of gave me a spark of hope that I never had before. So it was kind of neat to have that happen to me. She helped me all the way through the time I was there and I felt at that time I could do anything. At that point I went into the peer support group and that group just kind of got me going.

Now I'm a peer support specialist who works in the ICU and have had lots of dealings with different people and different problems. For me to tell them that I was once here and they just look at you like, "Really? I can't believe you were here."

I walk by and she goes, "Can you hold my hand? I just need somebody to hold my hand." I asked, "Would you like to go to group?" and she said, "If you hold my hand."

Connection. Connection. Just like I was treated, I want to share that love and kindness.