Lindsey Smathers

Hi! I’m Lindsey (she/her) and I’m from the suburbs of Pittsburgh, PA. I’m a junior majoring in Nutrition and Dietetics and minoring in Psychology at the University of Delaware. I started volunteering my sophomore spring at Sean’s House because I wanted to provide the support that I know would have helped me when I was going through difficult times. Mental health is such an important topic and it’s critical that everyone has someone to talk to in their brightest moments and their darkest, and that’s exactly what I want to provide. I’m now so excited to be a Peer Lead and further my journey in helping others with their mental health.

Finding Sean’s House was a very pivotal moment for me. When I realized that there was a place where being open about mental health was fully accepted and encouraged, I knew I wanted to be involved. I have struggled with depression, anxiety, and ADHD for most of my life and I know firsthand how important it is to find a safe, trustworthy outlet. That’s exactly what I want to be for those who come to Sean’s House in search of peace. Everyone at the house is very warm and accepting which makes it such an amazing place to be.

Outside of Sean’s House, I’m a student with the goal to become a dietitian, most likely clinical. I’m also a volunteer at University of Delaware Performance Nutrition, where I help the dietitians keep organized to help the athletes and I am involved in a social sorority. In my free time I love to sing, spend a lot of time with my friends, and sometimes work out. A lifelong goal of mine is to find more time for myself and to not get too caught up in the daily stressors of life. 

Recovery, to me, means accepting yourself and your feelings for what they are. There’s no need to constantly battle yourself for how you feel, however, in those pivotal moments, it is absolutely crucial to seek help and coping mechanisms so that you are able to live your life to the fullest. Creating connections with others and having people to fall back on is one of the best ways to begin recovery and healing. Healing also does not look the same for everyone. There are bad days and good days, but the most important thing is to keep moving forward, seek accepting environments, and warm relationships, which is exactly what Sean’s House provides.