Oregon mental health specialist is surprised with the Never Quit Service Award at convention

Amy Simpson is a mental health specialist in Oregon who relies on her own experience and struggles to connect with her clients.

“I help bridge the gap between addiction services and domestic violence services, and I’m an art therapist and drug and alcohol counselor,” said the member of Oregon AFSCME in a video shown during the 46th AFSCME International Convention. “I present them with media and options to explore and express, and it creates an atmosphere of ease and trust where I think they feel comfortable to start talking.” 

For her service to her community, Simpson won AFSCME’s Never Quit Service Award, which seeks to recognize public service workers who go above and beyond the call of duty to make their communities better.  

AFSCME President Lee Saunders surprised Simpson with the award Wednesday during the third day of the convention.  

One of her clients, Chelsey Darnell, saw her child taken away by child protective services before she sought help for substance abuse. With Simpson’s help, she was able to get him back. 

“I don’t think that I could be in the position that I’m in right now without help from Amy,” Darnell said on the convention stage Wednesday. “You have to be tough to make it through an addiction and come out on the side of recovery. You have to be even tougher to see others through the process.” 

Simpson herself had a substance use disorder and harnessed that experience in building a career in which she helps people beat their addictions.  

In accepting the Never Quit award, Simpson said, “Thank you so much AFSCME for this recognition. In all of my years in addiction, and then going into recovery and going into the work I do, I’ve done it out of this passion ... for healing. I was lucky enough to receive the helping hand of many individuals who work in social service. And I was inspired by their drive and passion to give and to heal.” 

She praised AFSCME for giving her the support she needs.   

“I am so honored to be an AFSCME member and to work with the union who supports me in the work that I do, and in helping my fellow AFSCME-represented employees to gain the respect and the rights they deserve,” Simpson said through tears.