What is a Peer Specialist? If someone supports in a group session ten people with a mental health condition (depression, anxiety, bipolar, trauma, etc.) and addiction, and one does not show up does the Specialist not leave the nine in the group room and seek out the one that did not show up? And if the Specialist finds the person they are ecstatic over finding one than over the nine that remained with the support group. Is it not the will of the 12 steps that any person in Recovery should be misplaced?
What did the Peer Specialist do to bring the one person back into the group?
- They used their lived experience in mental health and addiction to help connect with the person.
- They provided support to the person struggling to find a path to recovery.
- They Intentionally share their own Recovery as appropriate to assist the peer and support in changing patterns of behavior
- They encouraged and assisted the person to construct their own Recovery plan.
- They encouraged the peer to focus on their strengths.
Peer Specialists have the goal that no one needs to suffer alone and in silence.
If you or someone you know could benefit from Peer Specialist support contact your local county Department of Human Services, ask your therapist, or do a Google search online to see what is available locally. This is an example of an organization with Peer Support; https://attherootsllc.com Services may vary based on geographical region.
Peace
Larry
email: ljw@superhumanbeing.net
website: https://superhumanbeing.net/