406.551.1058
info@mtpeernetwork.org
Dontate to MPN

Tag: Support Services

No Shame in the Struggle

September is a month filled with awareness and reflection, particularly for those of us who have witnessed the power of recovery, resilience, and healing. As we celebrate Recovery Month, it’s a time to acknowledge the often difficult yet transformative journey individuals and families face as they overcome mental health challenges.

For me, this month holds deep meaning. As a mother of two boys and a former Family Peer Supporter, I’ve had the privilege and the heavy responsibility of helping others navigate the complexities of mental health recovery. I’ve worked with families in distress, and I’ve watched individuals confront their deepest struggles. But I’ve also seen the incredible strength, courage, and growth that recovery can bring.

Navigating an Autism Diagnosis as a Parent: A Compassionate Guide

Receiving an autism diagnosis for your child can feel overwhelming, but it’s also the beginning of a journey filled with hope, learning, and growth. As a parent, you may experience a whirlwind of emotions, from confusion and fear to relief and determination. Understanding how to navigate this new path will be filled with challenges but will eventually help you to provide the best support for your child and family. Here’s a compassionate guide to help you through this journey.

Therapy Awareness

Forgiveness should be a journey, not a destination. What I mean by that is, whether we need to forgive ourselves, friends/family, or people who have wronged us in our lives, that can be a very difficult task. That physical pain we felt, the emotional toll we went through, and the way our bodies grasped those feelings and held onto them tight, can feel like something you will truly never get over. The old saying goes, “Time heals everything.” Well, it sure doesn’t. The reason I say this is because over time, life keeps throwing us curveballs, or as experts, unlike myself like to call it, trauma. It starts stacking inside of us and piling up like deskwork in our brains. When this happens, we are walking through life with unresolved hurt inside of us, and then turn around and project it onto others. So, the very things that hurt us in the beginning, we are now doing those same things to the ones we love, friends, our children, etc.

Special Education:  My Perspective

In honor of National Special Education Day on December 2nd, I am sharing my personal story in the hopes of dispelling stereotypes of what Special Education services means for students now and for their future.  Growing up, and even 18 years ago when my daughter started receiving special education services, I would hear terms like “short bus” or “sped kids” which referred to students who received special education services or had an Individualized Education Plan (IEP).  Though I don’t hear these terms as much today, I know they still exist and the negative attitude towards these students still exists.

Mailing Address

PO Box 39
Ennis, MT 59729

Physical Address

2 Hot Springs Loop
Ennis, MT 59729

Follow us

©  2025 Montana's Peer Network. Built using WordPress and the Mesmerize Theme