Peer Support Specialist

What is a Peer Support Specialist?

A Peer Support Specialist is a person living with a mental illness who provides mentoring, guidance, and support services and offers their skills to others who are experiencing psychiatric disabilities and receiving mental health services.

A Peer Support Specialist provides encouragement, information, and an understanding voice. We help our peers create and follow a plan for their own recovery. We also offer our experience to help our peers discover the many resources that are available to them as they recover.

A Peer Support Specialist offers unique support in emergency, outpatient or inpatient mental health treatment settings.

How does it work?

It's simple. We use knowledge, skills, and experience that come from having "been there" ourselves, to help others work toward meaningful recovery from mental illness.

Why it works

A Peer Support Specialist is someone who brings the personal experience of mental illness and of recovery. We know, first hand, the experiences of people who are currently receiving mental health services, because we have stood in their shoes. This common experience creates a strong basis for trust and hope. We believe that everyone can have a life worth living, on their own terms.