Peer support specialists, having navigated recovery themselves, assist individuals in engaging and maintaining involvement in the recovery process. They promote shared understanding, respect, and mutual empowerment, extending treatment beyond clinical settings to integrate support into daily life for sustained recovery.
PEER SUPPORT
WHAT IS PEER SUPPORT?
PEER SUPPORT: People lending a helping hand to others through shared experiences.
PEER SUPPORT ROLE
Peer support workers engage in a wide range of activities. These include:
- Advocating for people in recovery
- Sharing resources and building skills
- Building community and relationships
- Leading recovery groups
- Mentoring and setting goals
Peer support roles may also encompass the following:
- Providing services and/or training
- Supervising other peer support workers
- Developing resources
- Administering programs or agencies
- Educating the public and policymakers
Peer support workers may require additional skills to effectively serve specific groups, such as family members, who share similar experiences. The foundation of peer recovery support relationships is the shared experience of overcoming mental health and/or substance use conditions, or being a family member of someone who has faced these challenges.