Peer Support Services
Being in recovery from mental health challenges is about living your life, finding your own purpose and feeling fulfilled despite having symptoms and a diagnosis. Peer Support can enhance your recovery journey as it is provided by individuals who are living in recovery and sharing their experience to help others.
Peer Support is a vital component of wellness. Mecklenburg’s PROMISE Peer Services Programs consist of the Giving Tree Drop-In Center, Warm-Line and Peer Bridger programs, all of which are operated by and for peers.
Mental Health America (MHA) believes that peer support is a unique and essential element of recovery-oriented mental health systems. Peer support programs provide an opportunity for consumers to direct their own recovery and advocacy process, and to teach one another the skills necessary to lead meaningful lives in the community (Sabin & Daniels, 2003). Peer support services have demonstrated effective outcomes such as reduced isolation and increased empathic responses to consumers (Powell, 1994, Kurtz, 1997, Mowbray, et al., 1996). Research has also shown that outcomes improve when consumers serve as peer specialists on case management teams (Fenton et al, 1995).
The final report from the President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health states, “studies show that consumer-run services and consumer providers can broaden access to peer support, engage more individuals in traditional mental health services, and serve as a resource in the recovery of people with a psychiatric diagnosis” (New Freedom Commission on Mental Health, 2003). The report goes on to describe how persons with psychiatric disabilities, because of their experiences, bring different attitudes, motivations and insights to mental health services (New Freedom Commission on Mental Health, 2003). The provision of mental health support services by persons who have experienced mental illnesses is the epitome of empathy, empowerment and, ultimately, recovery.
References
Fenton et al., 1995 as cited in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute for Mental Health, 1999.
MHA. (2007). Position statement 37: The role of peer support services in the creation of recovery oriented mental health systems. Retrieved on July 12th, 2007 from http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/position-statements/p-52.
New Freedom Commission on Mental Health, Achieving the Promise: Transforming Mental Health Care in America. Final Report. DHHS Pub. No. SMA-03-3832. Rockville, MD: 2003.
Powell, 1994, Kurtz, 1997, Mowbray, et al., 1996 as cited in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute for Mental Health, 1999.
Sabin, J., Daniels, N. 2003. Strengthening the consumer voice in managed care: VII. The Georgia Peer Specialist Program. Psychiatric Services. Vol. 54 No. 4. pp 497-498.