Rainier

Senior firsthand Guide
Chattanooga, TN

Rainier has had his fair share of struggles with mental health, but has emerged stronger and more resilient on the other side. Rainier grew up with a father who lived with both substance use disorder and untreated bipolar disorder. Rainier's own journey with mental health started when he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder two years ago. It came as a huge shock to him, and he struggled to come to terms with the diagnosis at first. However, he knew that he needed to take action to manage his symptoms, and made the decision to go into therapy straight away.

Over the past two years, Rainier has been working with a therapist and attending both group and individual therapy sessions. He has been committed to taking his medication as prescribed and has been diligent about maintaining his mental health. Recently, he has been able to reduce the frequency of his therapy sessions, moving into a maintenance phase where he sees his therapist only once a month. This is a huge accomplishment for Rainier, and he is proud of how far he has come.

Rainier's journey with mental health has not been an easy one, and there have been many challenges along the way. One of the toughest periods in his life was a six-day depressive episode that he experienced before his diagnosis. During this time, he had intense suicidal ideation and was unable to work or leave his room. When he emerged from the episode, he was in a manic state, feeling better than he ever had before. It was then that he realized something was wrong and decided to seek medical help.

Receiving a bipolar disorder diagnosis was a huge wake-up call for Rainier, as he realized that he had to take his mental health seriously if he wanted to live a fulfilling life. His father's experience with bipolar disorder had always scared him, and he was determined not to let mental illness control his life in the same way.

Though Rainier was dedicated to improving his mental health, navigating the healthcare system proved to be quite a challenge. He was prescribed a name-brand medicine that required prior authorization. Insurance changes and prior authorizations made it challenging for him to get his medicine approved, and several times he had to use samples of medication from his provider in order to bridge the gap between medication refills.

After leaving his job as a mailman due to burnout, Rainier started working for firsthand. The role has been a hugely positive experience for Rainier, giving him the opportunity to help others who are going through similar struggles. He has been able to use his own experiences to connect with clients and provide them with hope and inspiration. One of the most rewarding experiences Rainier had was when he and his colleagues helped an individual move, with everyone in his office lending a helping hand.

Rainier believes in the importance of self-awareness and medication compliance for individuals living with serious mental or physical illnesses. He worked closely with his doctor to try different medications and combinations until finding the right one that worked. Keeping track of symptoms through journaling or note-taking is another practice that Rainier found helpful in improving his mental health.

Rainier always tells the individuals he works with to give him a call if they need anything, and it's always rewarding when they do reach out and use the support network that they are given. Whether it's running out of medication or having a fight with their partner, Rainier is there to provide assistance and guidance. The most rewarding aspect of Rainier's work so far has been seeing the positive impact firsthand’s services have on the individuals they serve. It's a great feeling to know that he is making a difference in someone's life and providing them with the support they need. Rainier believes that the support he and his teammates offer can truly help individuals thrive and lead fulfilling lives.

Rainier is proud of his efforts to invest in his mental health and personal growth, putting in the emotional equity needed to reach his goals. Rainier has been particularly impressed with firsthand's culture, which has been welcoming, inclusive, and supportive.