Peter Vani Konneh II not only provides mental health rehabilitation for trauma survivors, but he acts as a role model of the great heights a survivor can achieve. After spending the first 20 years of his life in war-torn parts of Liberia, he has effectively channeled his own traumatic experiences into caring for other survivors.
Since moving to the U.S., Konneh has dedicated nearly 16 years to the mental healthcare profession. At the Hospital for Behavioral Medicine, he works with individuals who have endured sexual assault, domestic violence, substance abuse, depression, and other challenges. He developed a transportation expansion project, which compensated employees for driving clients, in order to improve accessibility to mental health services. In collaboration with the Mass. Department of Mental Health, he increased the number of patients receiving respite care by 40%, offering problem-solving skills and medication management to a greater population. Already with degrees from Springfield College and Cambridge College, Konneh is pursuing a doctorate in community care counseling with a concentration in trauma. Musically gifted, Konneh spends his free time playing various instruments at churches throughout Worcester. He has lectured at college classes and served as a Boys & Girls Club of Worcester mentor.
If you could time travel to any decade, which one would you pick? The 1980s, to travel and spend time with my late grandfather, who I’m named after.
Is there alien life? No
What one Central Mass. activity should everyone try? Learn to snowboard at Ski Ward Ski Area in Shrewsbury
What item have you crossed off your bucket list? Traveling to Europe
