Peer Support Programming Description
PEER SERVICES
We believe that peer support is a unique and essential element of recovery-oriented mental health makes use of empathy and empowerment to help support and inspire recovery. Peer support provides an opportunity for peers who have significantly recovered from their illness to assist others in the recovery process. to direct their recovery process by sharing with one another the skills necessary to lead meaningful lives in the community. We are 'allies' or ‘partners’ with one another to achieve our individual’s goals or objectives. Services are peer centered services with a rehabilitation and recovery focus designed to promote skills for coping with and managing psychiatric symptoms, utilization of natural resources, and the enhancement of skills and strategies to move toward recovery.
Peer services are developed by and for peers. Peer support services are based on the concept that individuals who have experienced similar problems, life situations, or crisis can effectively provide mutual support, information, and growth to others experiencing similar situations.
Traditionally, individuals with a mental illness face many challenges such as unemployment, social isolation, difficulties with the educational system, difficulties with the judicial system, and exclusion from community participation. These individuals often face multiple life stressors with a minimum of resources and little in the way of family or community support. As a result, individuals with a mental health disorder often become our most isolated. Peer support offers hope and provides additional resources for individuals who have become socially isolated.
Peers act as role models in a supportive process that helps to reduce prejudice and offer hope, understanding, and support. In other words, by sharing experiences and building trust, peers help each other move beyond their perceived limitation, old patterns and ways of thinking and move forward on their own path to recovery.
PEER TRAINING AND EMPOWERMENT
The Mental Health Association works in partnership with peers and others to promote recipient empowerment through training and education. Activities focus on providing peers with the knowledge and skills they want to work toward recovery and to succeed in the community. Providing trainings and support for a variety of self-help initiatives, including education and support MHA supports recipient attendance and participation in conference and workshops and engages current and former recipients of services to act as trainers.
Eligibility and Referrals:
Requests for presentations are welcomed form recipients clusters of any size, including self-help groups, community residences, treatment programs, drop-in centers and social clubs. Most MHA sponsored events are open to all mental health consumers.
MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION
The Mental Health Association’s educational activities are designed to promote mentally healthy attitudes and choices, combat stigma and promote understanding of mental illnesses, the mental health delivery system, and treatment options.
Educational activities include adult presentations on a variety of topics, peer/professional conferences and forums; health fairs. community activities, and malls; trainings for mental health peers/professionals; and telephone information and referral.
Specific programs may be requested by contacting the Mental Health Association. Attendance for some training may be limited to a target audience; others are open to the public.
Contact Person:
Shelly Woods, Coordinator of Peer Education
Telephone: (716) 372-0208 x104
Fax: (716) 372-0222
E-mail: sswoods.mhacc@verizon.net
Back to Peer Support Main Page.
Operation Dignity will resume in the spring! Please call (716)372-0208 for more information on how you can help.
Attention Teens! No One Way teen support group will be meeting every Friday from 3pm-6pm. Please call (716) 372-0208 to learn more.
GED Classes Mondays and Wednesdays 9am - 12pm. All are welcome.
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