Following his spoken-word performance, Patrick Finn speaks with the host about the NAMI Connections program, explaining his dual role as a group facilitator and licensed peer-to-peer counselor in Arnold, MD. He describes the program’s structure, its inclusive approach to mental health recovery, and shares that he originally sought the group himself when looking for community with others who share similar struggles.
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Transcript
[01:34:02] Patrick, dude, that was incredible, man.
[01:34:07] And I love that we had, like, a full screen of you.
[01:34:10] So we could get all your, like, your gesticulation.
[01:34:13] Like, that was prime.
[01:34:15] That length worked out.
[01:34:17] I had to do it.
[01:34:18] Like, that’s the thing.
[01:34:19] I was like, wait, like, record it.
[01:34:21] This has got to, I got to be everywhere.
[01:34:25] Yeah, I like it.
[01:34:26] Good job, good job.
[01:34:27] Well, thank you very much.
[01:34:29] I got to make more.
[01:34:30] Yeah, you do.
[01:34:31] And I don’t know if you want to say about Connections and what that’s about.
[01:34:39] We’re here to promote the good work of NAMI.
[01:34:42] Yeah, absolutely.
[01:34:44] So I am a facilitator for NAMI Connections for Arnold at the moment.
[01:34:50] And I’m also a licensed peer-to-peer counselor to help people get through.
[01:34:55] And I’m also a licensed peer-to-peer counselor to help people get through the recovery and learning methods to do so.
[01:34:58] But with NAMI, we are actually in, so COVID has kind of taken a lot of the in-person away.
[01:35:05] It’s basically, you come in, and it shows the agenda, the meetings and guidelines about respecting each other, how to go to buy.
[01:35:13] It’s kind of like a 12-step understanding of mental health.
[01:35:16] And everybody is welcome as long as you suffer with a mental illness.
[01:35:21] And so what this is, honestly, I found it.
[01:35:25] When I was looking for a group to help me and find others that were like me, because I don’t know if any of you are like that, where it helps to find somebody that’s in the same boat of a struggle.
[01:35:37] It doesn’t have to be the same one.
[01:35:39] So that’s what we do.
[01:35:41] And I’ve been with them now for three years and a facilitator for almost two.
[01:35:47] And I love every bit of it.
[01:35:49] So we’re looking for a new venue right now.
[01:35:52] It’s getting closer.
[01:35:53] We’ve got one promising.
[01:35:55] And if you join NAMI AAC, Arnold Connections, I’m not sure of the new one yet, but in that area, you’ll find it.
[01:36:04] And we’re going to find a new place for this to start, because we need people back.
[01:36:08] So, but, yeah, thank you.
[01:36:12] Yeah, appreciate it, man.
[01:36:14] Yeah.
[01:36:15] Thank you for coming.
[01:36:16] Oh, no, of course.
[01:36:17] Anything, yeah, absolutely.
[01:36:20] All right.
[01:36:21] Your work here is done, sir.
[01:36:24] Thank you so much.
[01:36:25] Thank you all so much.
[01:36:26] And is this available since I haven’t been able to see anybody’s lovely work?
[01:36:31] I feel bad about that.
[01:36:32] When it’s done, the live stream, will I be able to see a finished product on YouTube?
[01:36:38] Yes.
[01:36:39] Great.
[01:36:40] Great.
[01:36:41] Because I want to hear all your guys’ amazing work.
[01:36:42] And if not, y’all find a way to post them all individually.
[01:36:46] Perfect.
[01:36:47] Thank you all so much.
[01:36:49] Have a great rest of your night.
[01:36:51] You too.
[01:36:52] Thank you.
[01:36:53] Cheers.
[01:36:55] All right, gentlemen.