Peer Specialists - A Valuable Resource for Recovery

Contributed By:  Laura Marvel, Delaware Director of Program Services
 

Just over three months ago, the Delaware Region hired John as its first Peer Specialist. Prior to this, Delaware hired consumers as drivers, transporting individuals to and from the office for appointments with the psychiatrist. In contrast, the position of Peer Specialist demands insight and direct involvement with the consumer.

As a Peer Specialist, John connects with the consumers and assists them in their recovery. Through life experience, John has gained expertise and empathy that one does not necessarily achieve via the medical model or clinicians. His experiences have led to a sense of self-advocacy for both his own recovery, as well as the recovery of his fellow consumers. He has spent countless hours researching and gathering information locally, regionally, and nationally to enable him to understand his illness. 

John’s initial goals for his new position are “to share my experiences, strength, and hope with other consumers. I want to be a source of inspiration, a teacher of sorts, to better the lives of my fellow peers. I will assist clients in articulating their goals for recovery, help them monitor their progress, assist them in their treatment, model effective coping techniques and self-help strategies based on my own recovery experience, and advocate for the client in obtaining effective services. I believe we need to educate the consumer about their illness, from causes and symptoms, to the tools needed to help them in their recovery efforts. We need to help the consumer reestablish self-confidence, which has been stripped from them not only by their illness, but, at times, by the very system that is in place to help them.” With those goals in mind, John feels that a consumer’s WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan), or personal recovery plan, is a key component to recovery. John plans to work with consumers individually and in groups, to develop WRAP plans.  

During his first months with Fellowship Health Resources, John has made amazing progress, and encountered obvious barriers. He has completed one WRAP group and is currently working on another WRAP group, as well as a self-awareness group. He assists CCCP staff with the Dual Diagnosis Group, and works with a Team Leader to establish a Family Support Group. The consumers have formed a positive relationship with John. John involves the groups in alternative activities, such as an art tour. John has linked the Delaware Region with two radio stations, one of which allowed an interview and the other offered airtime each Wednesday to discuss mental health. 

Some of the barriers John has noted are not new to those of us who have worked in lower Delaware. They include a lack of funding, limited transportation for those we serve, and lack of knowledge regarding mental illness/services. John, as a Peer Specialist, has also encountered some resistance with respect to the “peer movement.” John makes it clear that he does not want to replace the Medical Model, but rather supplement and enhance it with the support a person with lived experience can provide. 

John, with his enthusiasm and fresh perspective, has been a valuable addition to the Delaware Team. He has an abundance of ideas and the personality to bring them to fruition.