Peer Support Stories

Find Hope among Your Peers

The Thomas M. Wernert Center is the only stand-alone peer support center in Lucas County. Our staff share their lived experiences with members, providing non-clinical peer support that help people to develop their own goals, create strategies for self-empowerment, and take concrete steps towards building fulfilling, self-determined lives for themselves.

Our members and their peer supporters share stories about dispelling myths, inspiring hope and moving toward mental health recovery:

TMWC is Launching a Food Pantry

With the recent decrease in SNAP benefit funds and the elimination of pandemic-related SNAP Emergency Allotments, many people across the nation are at risk of experiencing food insecurity.

Feeling Safe Improves Recovery

Feeling safe is fundamental to a person's health and wellbeing. Andy finds feeling safe is part of why he participates at the Thomas M. Wernert Center (TMWC).

Offering Community Education

To increase community education, Thomas M. Wernert Center is now providing the opportunity to have an expert speak to organizations and workplaces.

May is Mental Health Month

For Mental Health Month this year, Mental Health America is encouraging individuals to look around and look within.

TMWC Gardening Club

What's sprouting at TMWC this spring? Gardening club has been working on making our campus beautiful for the warmer weather.

What Does Mental Health Awareness Mean to You?

“Mental health awareness helps me recognize the warning signs of a crisis in myself and others,” says Gwen, a TMWC member.

Signs of Hope

Members of the Thomas M. Wernert Center (TMWC) responded to a negative sign posted outside of the center with sign messages of their own.

Growing Stronger Everyday

Even before you see her, you can hear Beverly’s beautiful voice coming down the hall at the Thomas M. Wernert Center. When you do see Beverly, she is usually wearing a smile that shines bright.

Motivated By Gratitude

Gwendolyn is someone who enjoys being busy. Alcohol kept her bust for a long time before she realized she had other options. “Today, I have choices,” says Gwen.

Comfort in Community

Brad found it hard to get out of bed every day due to his anxiety disorder. 'I was sad and sleeping a lot,' he explains. Brad's caseworker referred him to the Thomas M. Wernert Center (TMWC) to help him get out of the house.

Creative Coping Skills and Expressive Arts at TMWC

The Expressive Arts program at Thomas M. Wernert Center (TMWC) is usually held in the Frank W. Lynch and Roberta Jane Lynch, MSW Art Studio; however, the creative process often overflows into other areas of campus.

May 2022

Diabetes & Mental Illness

Monitoring and maintaining you mental health goes hand in hand with ensuring your bodies are well taken care of. Studies show that people living with a mental illness have an increased risk of other conditions as well, including heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

May 2022

The Power of Peer Support

Members and staff at TMWC know first-hand how the power of peer support can affect an individual's recovery journey, but how would you describe 'peer support' to someone who is not familiar with the concept?

What is Mental Health Literacy?

As peers who live with a mental illness we understand the degree to which stigma has invaded our lives, much like our diagnosis. They tend to arrive, hand-in-hand, ready to knock us down.

New Board Leadership Named For TMWC

The Thomas M. Wernert Center is pleased to announce the election of Deborah Riley-Jackson as president of its Board of Trustees, effective June 1, 2022.