Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Leonard.
Hi Ashley, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I had my first mental health episode at age 20 and was diagnosed with schizophrenia. When I first joined Austin Clubhouse, I was at one of the worst points in my life and my journey of recovery. I was in and out of the hospital, didn’t have a good support system, and felt so uneasy about just leaving the house.
When I first got diagnosed, I always dreamed of having a mental health community–somewhere safe to go with people who both understood and had compassion for what I was going through. I found that at Austin Clubhouse. At the Clubhouse, I got to participate in meaningful work and came to feel that I was a valuable member of this community. Everyone I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know has been patient and caring. It took me a bit to get comfortable, but I’ve always been treated with respect and dignity, even in my worst moments.
In addition to being an active Clubhouse member, this spring I was honored to be elected onto the Austin Clubhouse Board of Directors. I truly believe that if it wasn’t for Austin Clubhouse and the amazing people in it, I wouldn’t be as far on my journey of recovery as I am right now. The Clubhouse has made it possible to live a happy and fulfilling life. I will be forever grateful.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My journey has definitely not been smooth. It has taken a lot of persistence, trying and failing at a lot of things. Particularly for adults with mental health diagnoses, there aren’t a lot of resources. I had many financial setbacks and experienced the difficulty of being in a revolving door system and having episode after episode. I had tried every form of medication and therapy there was, but it wasn’t until I found a supportive community that my healing really began.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Participating in the Clubhouse helped me to get back to work and complete my training as a Certified Mental Health Peer Support Specialist. I recently began a new position as a Peer Support Specialist through Austin Travis County Integral Care. I have dedicated myself to mental health advocacy, and in my day-to-day life, I try to educate others on my diagnosis and other diagnoses that are so stigmatized.
What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Radical acceptance. You have to be ok with yourself and who you are. There’s no “right” timeline, and you can always start over.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.austinclubhouse.org
- Instagram: @austinclubhouse
- Facebook: @austinclubhouse
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/austinclubhouse
