Why I do what I do – Jim Kytasaari, Peer Support Specialist

I am a peer support specialist, and as the name implies, I help others work on their own mental health symptoms and challenges.

I myself have received services over the years from the amazing people at Bert Nash. As a peer support specialist, I share with others my experience, hope, and strengths, so that they too can be on a path to a strong recovery.

At Bert Nash, we talk about restoring lives as a mission statement. For me, the providers at Bert Nash helped me move past the life of hopelessness and despair I had dealt with for many years and rebuild a new life from the ground up, a beautiful life I never dreamed possible and different from the one I thought I wanted.

The thing I love most about my position is meeting and talking to people with similar life experiences, to get to know others for the strong and wonderful people they are and to assist them in any way I can. Sometimes (before social distancing), I hold people’s hands in a difficult situation, and other times I high-five them when they have victories, and celebrate with them when they achieve goals. No matter how small or big, it warms my heart to see folks overcome difficult situations and to see them smile with pride.

What I’ve taken away from my personal recovery is gratitude. I have a gratitude list I pull out when I have self-doubt or difficult times and realize how lucky I am to have what I have. My role as a peer support specialist helps me to openly talk about my experiences and challenges with others and gain insight from what they do that makes them stronger and grow. I have met the best people I know at Bert Nash, both those who provide services and clients who receive them.

I’m proud to be a part of an organization whose people, regardless of their role, strive to collaborate and develop innovative ways to continue to provide services and meet the needs of clients. Especially during the challenging times we all face during the Covid-19 crisis. The people at Bert Nash are the most amazing, caring, and compassionate people. Not only through this crisis, but on a daily basis, I am so proud and blessed to be a part of it.