By Hunter Poulin, MHRT/C, Spurwink Adult BHH Care Coordinator
As I finish my work for the day, I’m reminded of what a blessing it is to have a job I’m genuinely excited to come back to.
No Sunday scaries. No thought of, “Ugh…just one more day.” No refreshing my PTO balance hoping I’d somehow earned vacation while I was sleeping.
Just excitement—which, if you’ve ever worked a job that drained your soul, you know is a pretty incredible feeling.
The Highs and Lows of Behavioral Health Care
Public health isn’t easy. There are days that break your heart. There are days that test your patience, your resilience, and your ability to function on caffeine and snacks alone. Through my work, I’ve met people at some of the lowest points in their lives, and sometimes I’ve seen the very worst of humanity.
But I’ve also had the privilege of witnessing incredible strength, kindness, and hope. I’ve watched people who had their guards so high up, it was like climbing Mount Everest to get to the other side, but I did, and I have the privilege of watching them thrive from a distance. Those moments always outweigh the hard ones.
A Support System
I love my coworkers. I respect my supervisors. And for the first time in a long time, I truly feel seen—not just as an employee, but as a person. Working somewhere that values your voice, trusts your judgment, and recognizes your worth is something I’ll never take for granted.
It’s been just over one year since I started working at Spurwink. If you had told me a year ago where I’d be today, I probably wouldn’t have believed you. This past year has stretched me in ways I never expected—it challenged me, humbled me, healed parts of me, and reminded me why I chose this field in the first place.
I’ve gained knowledge, confidence, and lifelong friendships. But more than anything, I’ve gained purpose.
So here’s to one year with Spurwink—to the people who believe in me, support me, laugh with me, and remind me why this work matters. Thank you for making the hard days manageable and the good days unforgettable. My cup is full, my heart is grateful, and I can’t wait to see what this next year brings—not only for me, but for my clients, new and old.
Visit spurwink.org/careers to learn more about starting your career in behavioral health care.
