“I could easily say that my journey at Birch started when I was first hired on… but to me it began way before then. I grew up around Birch, our members, the atmosphere, the NEED (and WANT) to help others, and I truly believe it had a huge impact on molding my heart into what it is today. I am 25 now, and have been around Birch since before I was 5 years old. So many kids, and even adults grow up with a stigma of being fearful of someone that is struggling or scared of a mental illness just simply because they do not understand, where I would walk through the doors at Birch and see everyone for exactly who they were, PEOPLE. Birch showed me to care, and it showed me that many people struggle in different ways, but that doesn’t mean that just because a struggle is different than your own that you should not reach out, or you shouldn’t put forth the effort to lend a hand where a hand is needed. I find fulfillment in knowing that I can brighten someone’s day, turn their negative thoughts to positive ones or even watch someone fulfill their goals that they have been working towards. There is no greater feeling than knowing that YOU were apart of something that brought someone so much happiness and pride. So to sum it up, what birch means to me: it’s a family, a family of teamwork, and hard work to watch individuals that you grow to care for obtain the things they want out of life.”
Destinee Seamon, MHPP
“When i came to Birch i had done little in my life except work for rich people in order to make them more rich. I found myself in an existential crisis and realized there had to be something I could do for the greater good. So knowing what I do about mental illness (having been diagnosed Bipolar myself since my early 20s) I decided I wanted to make a difference. In a short period of time I’ve watched some of the most symptomatic of the people we serve gain some control and independence and take back their lives. Two of which are on my caseload and in the community now. I came here because I wanted to be proud of what I do but now I realize I’m proud to know the people I’ve gotten to know.”