Those whose job is to help and protect others know something the public rarely sees: Sometimes they get as sick as, or sicker than, those they treat.
Kayla “Bird” Oliver knows. The 2006 Lebanon Catholic grad has spent 18 years as a mental health professional and a recovering alcoholic and victim of Catholic church sex abuse. Now, she’s turning her attention to her fellow caregivers.
“My journey took an unexpected turn during the pandemic when I relapsed after 17 years of sobriety. The vicarious trauma I experienced as a crisis responder and mental health clinician left me isolated, fearful, and without the resources I needed,” she says. “This experience opened my eyes to the struggles many of us in helping professions face — often silently — while we continue to serve others.”
So, Oliver has launched the Kindred Way Wellness Collective to help professional helpers: firefighters, EMS personnel, police officers, dispatchers, nurses, physicians, behavioral health and social workers, counselors, clinicians, educators, and clergy.
“I am reorienting my focus from treating the community to creating pathways that
support, advocate for, and prioritize the wellbeing of our societal helpers. Our systems are crumbling, especially in the aftermath of post-COVID burnout. Many of us simply cannot afford, in time or finance, the outlets we need for self-care and wellbeing.”
Kindred Way will hold a kickoff event on Saturday, Sept. 7, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at 508 Noble St., Lebanon.
According to Oliver, “attendees will get to shake hands with our founders and advisement committee members, hear my story and that of the origins of The Kindred Way Wellness Collective. We currently anticipate 30-50 individuals but given word of mouth without RSVP anticipate the possibility of many more.”
RSVPs are preferred, but Oliver says everyone, walk-ins included, will be welcome
Kayla “Bird” Oliver can be contacted at 717-202-7270 or KindredWayWellness@gmail.com.
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