Peer Specialists: Working with People With Lived Experience of Homelessness & Mental Health Issues Mental Health Commission of Canada Presented by: Heather Gilmore

/ 2 Presentation overview Personal Introduction Who Peer Specialists Are Core Values Recovery Peer Specific Roles Integrating Peers What Works Well Concluding Remarks

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/ 4 Peer Specialists Are: People with lived experience of mental illness and/or homelessness who: have the ability and willingness to use their experience to inform their work with others have the ability and willingness to support the unique journey of others understand that the relationship with others helps them move forward on their own journey

/ 5 Peer Specialists Are (Cont’d): People with lived experience of mental illness and/or homelessness who: understand that self disclosure breaks down barriers know how to advocate for the development of recovery/wellness strategies can model inclusion in the community

/ 6 They have the ability to walk alongside because they have been there.

/ 7 Core Values of Peer Specialist Work Respect and compassion Shared responsibility, & mutual agreement of what constitutes help Breaking down of the ‘expert/service user’ divide which allows for ‘being,’ creating mutual validation Working with people where they are at, and recognizing what has value and meaning to them Belief that change is possible And…

/ 8 Hope…

/ 9 Recovery and the Role of Peer Specialists

/ 10 Peer-Specific Roles Consultants Outreach workers Researchers Evaluators Trainers Members of your Board of Directors

/ 11 You can also make room for peers to develop their own circles.

/ 12 Integrating Peer Specialists Consider the difference of coming to the job in a peer specialist role Think about who your program serves and find peer specialists who represent that diversity Fully integrate peer specialists as full-time regular staff Ensure that they fulfill a generalist role as well as specialist functions as a peer Recognize power, cultural safety, and the need for a safe organizational environment

/ 13 What Works Well Organizational value of the peer specialist role Commitment to a recovery based model of care Willingness to engage in the difficult on-going discussions about stigma, power, privilege, discrimination, racism, sexism, homophobia …

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/ 15 Concluding Remarks: Plan for Peer Specialist engagement at the beginning of a project, and do that planning with peers Ensure the organizational environment is ready, and if not, question why! Recognize and negotiate power differentials

/ 16 There are a number of organizations in the Lower Mainland that have already integrated peers in their programs…call and ask questions if you need to. They love to talk!

/ 17 Thank you Contact us: Visit: Follow us: The views represented herein solely represent the views of the Mental Health Commission of Canada. Production of this document is made possible through a financial contribution from Health Canada. Les opinions exprimées aux présentes sont celles de la Commission de la santé mentale du Canada. La production de ce document a été rendue possible grâce à la contribution financière de Santé Canada.