By Kat McIntosh, Supervisor of International Peer Assist at Psychological Well being America
Psychological Well being America’s Peer Companions program is a peer-driven resolution to ending isolation and social exclusion. This program helps these fighting a few of the largest challenges that face us right this moment — isolation and social exclusion. Isolation and loneliness are main threat elements for total poor well being.[1] Analysis really reveals that loneliness could cause the identical quantity of harm as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.[2]
PEER PARTNERS PLACES A HEAVY FOCUS ON PEER SUPPORT
Peer Companions combines the strengths of peer help, psychiatric rehabilitation, and self-directed care. An enormous focus is positioned on offering peer help. Utilizing a peer help group mannequin, individuals obtain help from a peer who has been there. Members additionally obtain help from others within the group. This help creates a protected house to follow social abilities, supplies emotions of compassion and togetherness, and helps individuals deal with social challenges.
PEER PARTNERS HELPS PEOPLE MAKE FRIENDS
Our pilot program confirmed that 61% of the contributors needed one factor — to make mates. Our Peer Companions program locations worth on shared lived experiences in a non-judgmental setting. Sharing lived experiences helps individuals really feel accepted, understood, and valued. This will increase their emotions of connection to their neighborhood. Over 50% of contributors felt extra linked to their help networks after our program utilizing our mannequin.
THE PEER PARTNERS SUPPORT GROUP MODEL IS FREE AND EASY TO IMPLEMENT
Anybody can begin a Peer Companions program of their neighborhood. We’ve created a free on-line coaching for these inquisitive about beginning a Peer Companions program of their neighborhood. You may entry our Peer Companions Mini-Webinars at mhanational.org/peer-partners-mini-webinars.
Study extra about our Peer Companions program at mhanational.org/peerpartners.
