Peer Support Training.
The following is an interesting speech given before graduates of the Recovery Innovations, Inc. Peer Employment Training, class 106 in Phoenix, Arizona on Tuesday February 25, 2014:
“Our struggles are not over with by the acceptances of these state certifications. In many ways they have only begun.
Those of us who choose to move forward to make careers in the field of Peer Support will face an uphill battle the whole way.
As many of you are aware, the model upon which the entire mental heath care system is based is largely one of a “non recovery environment.”
One where human beings are managed as “cases” and where the emphasis is on compliance to arbitrary rules and standards . Where medication remains the primary tool of treatment. Where self advocacy is frowned upon and discouraged as some sort of disruptive behavior on the part of clients or customers.
All this has to change – if we are to remain true to the spirit of the recovery movement of which we are all apart.
So not only do we face the daunting challenge of acting as catalysts for change within the corrupted system – we also face the challenge of being respected as professionals in the field.
For example, despite the critical importance of what we do to facilitate recovery in the lives of individuals – we will be paid no where near what they pay “case managers, doctors, psychiatrists, nurse practitioners and other so called “professionals.” Instead we will be paid a few buck more than minimum wage in many cases. To make matters worse, many of us will be relegated to serve in part time positions without benefits. And in those cases where our employers do offer benefits – the cost of those benefits will make them impossible yo afford if your only working part time.
So you really have to be DEDICATED to the cause, so to speak to enter this particular profession. Nor is it for the faint of heart.
But with all that being said you will get something out of it that is absolutely priceless – in so far as you can’t put a price tag on it. Namely you get the satisfaction of helping others, on what is arguably the most important journey of there entire lives. The journey of recovery.
That’s an awesome responsibility – one that should not be taken lightly by none of us in this room. Thank you very much.”
{End Speech}
Peer support occurs when people provide knowledge, experience, emotional, social or practical help to each other overcome mental illness and challenges.
It commonly refers to an initiative consisting of trained supporters, and can take a number of forms such as peer mentoring, listening, or counseling.
Peer support is also used to refer to initiatives where colleagues, members of self-help organizations and others meet as equals to give each other support on a reciprocal basis.
Peer support is unique and distinct from other forms of social support in that the source of support is a peer, a person who is similar in fundamental ways to the recipient of the support; their relationship is one of equality. A peer is in a position to offer support by virtue of relevant experience: he or she has “been there, done that” and can relate to others who are now in a similar situation. Trained peer support workers such as peer support specialists and peer counselors receive special training and are required to obtain Continuing Education Units, like clinical staff.
See also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Certified_Peer_Support_Specialist
For more information on Peer Support and the Recovery Movement in America see website http://www.recoveryinnovations.org/