Mental Health Certificates

    I would like to share an idea that I think is already happening in some ways, which is for there to be more programs that offer mental health certificates, peer counseling credentials, and other mental health degrees that can be earned by people who have learned about mental health through suffering and survival, such as through a lifetime of managing mental illness symptoms or trying to heal from trauma or grief. I think it is a well known fact that many people who have struggled with almost any kind of emotional pain do find their way into the social work field and medical field as helpers, and one of my therapists from a long time ago said that therapists were often called "wounded healers."  It is true, and maybe no one needs to say it, but I have gotten the impression that there are a lot of mentally ill people out there who take their medicine, sometimes post comments on website discussions, may or may not have a part time job or hobby, but have no real formal recognition of the mental work they have had to do and the conundrums they have had to figure out in order to survive.  I mean just a class, or a few classes, or a year long program that helps them meet other people, could help them end up with a great certificate or degree to feel good about and possibly to help them find another official opportunity to share their life and learning with others who might be just beginning to navigate the challenges of depression and anxiety or other disorders.  Some group outpatient programs might consider offering an education component like that, too, which also incentivizes continuing treatment. It is also an alternative to putting a diagnosis on a resume, which is another thing that people might consider more often. The fact is that patients themselves often do not realize what kind of accomplishment is mixed in with all the days of sleeping late, going places when you don't feel like it, and drinking extra coffee, and a certificate on the wall could really be a reminder that at least some people have some idea of their true success.