Jessie

Guide Team Lead
Knoxville, TN

Jessie has always been committed to helping others. Prior to joining firsthand, Jessie helped individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to find and maintain employment.

Their journey has not been an easy one, as they have had to deal with their own mental health challenges. Jessie was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and has experienced severe manic episodes that have impacted their education, employment, and personal life. Jessie has been hospitalized three times and has had to navigate law enforcement due to a manic episode. Despite these challenges, Jessie has always had a strong support system around them, which has helped them to cope with and overcome these obstacles.

Navigating the healthcare system and mental health care system has not been easy for Jessie. They have had to deal with insurance, referrals, and long waits to find providers. In small college towns, like where they attended school, finding providers that they could see long-term was a particular challenge. In those days, telehealth was not yet widely available, which made things even more difficult.

Jessie's personal experiences and challenges have given them a unique perspective on the mental health care system. They have witnessed the barriers that people living with mental health issues face, particularly those who do not have access to the same support systems that they have had. This has inspired them to join the mental health care field and help others in similar situations.

Working at firsthand has given Jessie a new opportunity to support people living with mental health challenges. They have seen firsthand the impact of recidivism and how there are often few interventions to help prevent people from being hospitalized repeatedly. Jessie appreciates the approach taken by firsthand, where individuals are met where they are and given support not just for their physical and mental health, but also for community resources that impact overall well-being. In July 2023, Jessie was promoted from Community Resources Guide to Guide Team Lead.

Jessie's journey to recovery has not been easy, but they have had a strong support system that has helped them to navigate the mental health care system. Their family, particularly Jessie’s sister and wife, has been a constant source of support. With their help, Jessie has been able to manage their illness and find their passion in helping others. 

Jessie loves spending time with their pets and doing anything outdoors, like hiking or swimming. They also enjoy painting and wood burning. Jessie is proud of where they’re at and what they’ve been able to overcome, and proud of continuing to work with and support a population that they feel so close to. Jessie’s advice for individuals living with mental or physical illnesses is to reach out and accept the support that is provided for them because we all do better when we work together and support each other.