DISCUSSION
Peer Support Specialists are individuals with lived experiences of recovery from life’s challenges including child welfare involvement, mental health conditions, substance use disorder, homelessness, the justice system, or a combination of the aforementioned. Shasta County began hiring Peer Support Specialists in 2017, and the discipline has existed nationwide for decades.
A Peer Support Specialist will walk alongside consumers in recovery, offering individualized support, demonstrating recovery is possible, and that successful outcomes can happen. Peer Support Specialists practice in a range of settings, including peer-run organizations, recovery community centers, homeless shelters, behavior health and primary care settings, and other social welfare systems. Peer Support Specialists meet their consumers where they are in their journey. They support consumers in connecting and engaging with much needed resources, services, and natural supports, which are needed to live a healthy and independent life.
Nationwide research has shown Peer Support has led to increased social functioning, increased empowerment and hope, increased community engagement, increased quality of life, decreased hospitalizations, reduced use of inpatient services, and decreased costs to the mental health system. |