1. Power of Peer Support

2. Alison Brady “Ali” CPRS
No more living in the dark
I am NOT my diagnosis
Recovery is my game
You may know my name, but not my story…

3. Recovery is the process of change which an individual improves health and wellness, lives a self-directed life and strives to reach their full potential.
Certified Peer Recovery Specialists are trained individuals with lived experience from mental illness and/or substance use disorder that are in Recovery, who provide one-on-one strengths-based support to other peers.

4. How do Peer Recovery Specialists compliment a treatment team?
We share our personal experience – We are not counselors. We share our experience, hope and strength and offer them the following:
Choices
Hope
Empowerment
Spirituality
Environment

5. Types of Support Empathy Hope
Who better at understanding than a person who has been through a similar experience
The ability to understand and share feelings of another
Instill hope by showing that recovery is possible
One day at a time
Promote positive self image
Decrease isolation

6. Peer Recovery Strategies
Home
Stable place to live (Oxford House, Sober Living Homes, Recovery House, etc.)
Promote purposeful quality of life and recovery
Respect
Strengths/Responsibility
Focus on wellness/health, abilities and choices
Holistic approach
Many pathways (NA, AA, Faith-based, etc.)
Client advocacy – all parties have access to the same information
Person driven
Nothing for the client without having their voice heard
Healthy relationships & social networks

7. Find us in the community at your local CSB, Emergency Department and Crisis Stabilization Unit
Making Connections
Disclose personal story
Non judgmental
Establish Mutuality
Build rapport
Believe in the person’s ability to recover
Show genuine interest for building on the person’s strengths
Focus on the relationship rather than either individual

8. Peer Support Goals Break Stigmas Support / Encouragement
Bad choices Not bad person
All lives matter / Worthy of saving
Living proof that recovery is possible
Educating the public that the disease process issues are both common and treatable
Replace stigma with understanding, acceptance and hope
Support / Encouragement
Meet them where they are at in their chosen pathway
Be genuine
Validate thoughts and feelings
Show interest for building on client strengths
Explore all options and possibilities
What has worked / What has not

9. Mental Health First Aid
Linkage to Resources
Revive Training
Family Support Groups
Relapse Prevention
MAT Education Class
Community Programs
Mental Health First Aid

10. Warmline Navigating to Recovery
Just need to talk about Mental Health or Substance Use Disorder concerns?
Call (757) or (757)
This is not a Hotline. It’s a Peer-run, non-judgmental support and resource information line

11. Making our presence known with…
Continued Education Trainings
Government Officials
Community Engagements
Stay up to date on the latest happenings for recovery at the government level
Showing up for the people in our community
Sharing knowledge about new and continuous linkage to resources