What Is A Peer Support Specialist?
In recent years, the mental health landscape has seen a significant shift towards more personalized care that resonates with its client. The state of North Carolina offers a Peer Support Specialist Certification to help expand support for mental health care in the state. A Peer Support Specialists (PSS) is an individual who leverages their lived experiences with mental health or substance use disorders to support others on their recovery journeys.
The Role of Peer Support Specialists
Peer Support Specialists play a crucial role in bridging the gap between clinical interventions and personal recovery journeys. These specialists develop strong, supportive relationships with individuals facing mental health challenges. Their primary focus is to help patients recognize their strengths, set goals, address barriers, and explore recovery strategies.
Unlike traditional clinical roles, Peer Support Specialists offer non-clinical, strengths-based support. Their own recovery experiences continuously inspire others, demonstrating that healing is both possible, achievable, and accessible. By walking alongside individuals without judgment, they provide compassionate companionship and help navigate obstacles at a pace unique to each person.
Some key responsibilities of Peer Support Specialists include dispelling myths about mental health conditions, educating about self-help tools, and connecting individuals to community resources. Through active listening and support, they empower people to identify and work toward personal goals, enhancing recovery by focusing on strengths, self-determination, and resilience.
Work Environments and Opportunities
Certified Peer Support Specialists can seek employment in a variety of settings. Many use Peer Support Specialist training as a springboard into a mental health care career. Some common work environments include:
1. Streets and community outreach programs
2. Clinics and community health centers
3. Inpatient units and hospitals
4. Emergency rooms
5. Recovery residences and shelters
6. Remote or office-based roles
The demand for Peer Support Specialists is growing as they are increasingly integrated into various sectors of the healthcare system. Their critical role in promoting recovery and reducing healthcare costs, has led to expanded career opportunities in hospitals, outpatient programs, addiction recovery centers, and community-based organizations.
Training and Certification
Becoming a certified Peer Support Specialist involves a comprehensive training process. Typically, 40 to 60 hours of instruction, covering essential topics such as peer support values, recovery and resiliency tools, group facilitation, and crisis response. Many training facilitators are run by organizations with lived experience, leading to a more authentic process.
Candidates must often attest to their personal journey through written narratives or interviews, ensuring their experiences align with the role. After completing the training, individuals must pass an examination testing their knowledge of peer support principles.
POEM: A Unique Approach
POEM (Peer Outreach and Ecological Mentorship) offers a unique approach to Peer Support Specialist training. What sets POEM apart is its integration of mindfulness, ancestral healing, and ecological awareness – elements rarely found in traditional programs. POEM is focused on supporting Black and multiracial students as they become Peer Support Specialists, and ensures cultural relevance is centered in the training.
Going a bit further than a certification, POEM is creating a community of support by helping individuals connect with other Black and multiracial individuals who share similar goals and experiences. This holistic approach equips participants with not only the technical skills to become certified, but also fosters personal growth that benefits both their mental health and professional journey.
As part of Jubilee Healing Farm's mission to support BIPOC communities, POEM provides a fully funded certification program, removing financial barriers for students. This training and additional workshops is valued at over $600, but is offered at no cost to BIPOC students thanks to grant support. This initiative represents a powerful step towards creating a more diverse and culturally competent mental health workforce.
How to apply
For those interested in becoming powerful advocates for their communities through peer support, POEM offers an exciting opportunity to take the next step in their mental health journey. With its unique curriculum and supportive environment, POEM is paving the way for a new generation to address the complex mental health needs of diverse communities. Click here to complete a short application and be sure to submit it before the December 4th deadline. This cohort is limited to 15 people, so apply today!
Sources
https://www.mhanational.org/peer-services
https://www.samhsa.gov/brss-tacs/recovery-support-tools/peers
https://www.nami.org/advocacy/policy-priorities/improving-health/workforce-peer-support-workers/
https://www.thenationalcouncil.org/key-ingredients-in-response-to-the-pandemic-peer-support-values/
https://sites.utexas.edu/mental-health-institute/files/2017/01/Peer-Specialist-Training-and-Certification-Programs-A-National-Overview-2016-Update-1.5.17.pdf
About The Author
Jon Stanley
Volunteer and Training Operations Coordinator at Jubilee Healing Farm
