Peer Perspective

Summer is often associated with vacations, sunshine, and time to recharge, but for many people, the season also brings changes that can impact mental health and wellness in unexpected ways.In this episode, we explore how shifting routines, children being out of school, changing work schedules, increased social activities, financial pressures, and even the heat can affect our daily lives and overall well-being. We also discuss how these seasonal changes can influence substance use recovery and the importance of recognizing what helps us stay grounded.Finding balance doesn't mean having the perfect summer. It means creating a rhythm that works for you, adapting to life's changes, and making space for the habits and supports that promote your mental wellness.

In this episode of Peer Perspective Podcast, we sit down with McKenzie Secor, Peer Specialist with us at ASCEND in our Dual Recovery & Peer Support Services, to explore a moment that often feels both pivotal and intimidating in recovery: the very first meeting.McKenzie shares her lived experience of what it was like walking into that first space for support, bringing uncertainty, hesitation, and hope all at once. She also offers insight into what helped her feel grounded enough to stay engaged and continue her recovery journey.This conversation highlights the importance of meeting people where they are, normalizing the discomfort that can come with first-time experiences in recovery spaces, and recognizing how peer support can help transform that first step.

On this episode of Peer Perspective Podcast, “Let’s Talk About It,” we take time during Mental Health Awareness Month to have an open and honest conversation about the connection between mental health, substance use, addiction recovery, and peer support.We discuss how these experiences often overlap, impacting individuals, families, workplaces, and entire communities, sometimes in ways that are unseen. Many people are navigating challenges quietly while continuing to show up for daily life, carrying struggles others may never realize.This episode focuses on the importance of awareness, reducing stigma, and creating space for real conversations that remind people they are not alone.

Burnout is often associated with the workplace—but what about the toll it takes before someone is even employed?In this episode, we explore how burnout can show up in less visible ways, particularly in the emotional and mental strain of searching for work. From ongoing rejection and uncertainty to the pressure of staying motivated, the journey toward employment can carry a weight that often goes unrecognized.Joined by special guest Kayla Denny, LEAP Employment Counselor and Workshop Coordinator with Workforce Development, this conversation brings insight into the realities many individuals face while navigating employment systems and expectations. Together, we discuss how burnout can impact confidence, mental health, and recovery, and why acknowledging these experiences is an important step toward support and understanding.