How one woman’s lived experience became a lifeline for others through Monarch’s peer support services
When Jennifer Childres first came to Monarch in 2014, it wasn’t as a staff member — it was as someone in need of support. She was grieving personal trauma, struggling with depression and anxiety, and trying to process the loss of her father. Life felt heavy and while she had begun her mental health care journey, navigating it alone was overwhelming.
Her therapist recommended a support group, and attending it became a turning point. In that space, Jennifer noticed something unexpected: she had a way of helping others open up. “I used humor to connect with people, and I liked encouraging them to talk,” Jennifer said. What began as a step toward her own healing quickly uncovered a deeper calling.
Inspired by her experience in the support group, Jennifer decided to become a Certified Peer Support Specialist — someone who could turn lived experience into meaningful support for others. She joined Monarch’s Community Support Team and eventually moved into her current role providing one-on-one support to people living with mental health challenges. Her goal is simple but powerful: to offer the kind of understanding she once needed herself.
One person Jennifer has supported, Elizabeth McDonald, came to Monarch carrying the heavy weight of trauma, anxiety and depression. What kept her coming back wasn’t just clinical care, it was the compassion she felt from people like Jennifer.
“They care so much about you and they’re so personable. They’ll never judge you,” Elizabeth said, reflecting on her experience with Jennifer and the Monarch team.
Jennifer offered practical tools wrapped in genuine care. She found creative ways to make getting help feel less overwhelming, like introducing Elizabeth to a book about the connection between thoughts and feelings. That simple act became a turning point.
“I started reading that book about how you think how you feel, and you feel how you think,” Elizabeth said. “It may sound like a simple statement, but it really does work.”
Jennifer’s support helped Elizabeth move from crisis to possibility, reminding her that it’s never too late to imagine a new future.
Jennifer brings her full self to this work, including a past shaped by grief, abuse and survival. She has experienced anger, insecurity and the pain of not being believed or embraced by those who should have offered support. But she uses those experiences to walk alongside others in crisis, helping them feel seen and reminding them they’re not alone.
“Peer support is about connection,” Jennifer explained. “It’s about showing up with honesty and empathy and saying, ‘I’ve been there, and I’m still here.’”
Expanding Peer Support Across North Carolina
Monarch is committed to expanding peer support services statewide. Through a new $1.5 million grant, Monarch will partner with UNC Greensboro to launch a network of 20 family peer support professionals across North Carolina. These team members will be embedded in communities with the highest need, helping families navigate the mental health system and access vital resources with someone who understands what they’re going through.
Jennifer’s story is one of many that demonstrate the life-changing impact of peer support. It’s not just a service, it’s a lifeline built on shared experience and real compassion.
“Insecurity still whispers in my ear sometimes,” Jennifer admits. “But I’ve learned it doesn’t get the final word — I do.”