Jimeca Iyomere on Recovery, Embracing Support, and the Role of Hope in Healing

In this episode, Jimeca Iyomere shares her story of recovery, and reflects on the concept of finding purpose in pain. We talk about accepting support and resources, the role of hope in recovery, and what community members can do to support individuals living with mental illness and substance use disorders.

Jimeca is a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist and Forensic Peer Support Specialist with Northwestern’s Substance Use Disorder Peer Program. Jimeca has lived experience with recovering from what she describes as debilitating mental illness and drug and alcohol addiction. Jimeca’s roles include work with individual community members and the intensive outpatient therapy groups of Northwestern’s drug court program. Jimeca also offers the peer perspective portion of Northwestern’s Crisis Intervention Training, sharing her story of recovery with the local law enforcement and clinicians who participate. Jimeca’s training and certifications include Peer Recovery Specialist training and state certification, Forensic Peer Support Specialist training, Forensic Peer Support Specialist Supervisor certification, Digital Peer Support training, Youth and Adult Mental Health First Aid training, Adult Mental Health First Aid Instructor training, and Virginia Family Network’s Advanced Parent Leadership training. Jimeca is also a Certified NAMI Connections Support Group facilitator.

**Episode Correction: It is the National Council for Behavioral Health that oversees the implementation of Mental Health First Aid nationally, not Mental Health America. 

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Northwestern Community Services: http://www.nwcsb.com

NWCSB Peer Recovery Specialists: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COeIOKHIZvw&feature=youtu.be

Mental Health First Aid: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org

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The views and opinions expressed on Awareness 2 Action are those of the guests and host and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Prevention Department or Northwestern Community Services.