Description

Explore the world of the Peer Support movement today through unique videos and carefully chosen articles vetted by an expert.  Peer Specialists who have overcome extreme states (including spiritual emergency, addiction and mental disorder)  can speed recovery for those in the midst of overcoming these challenges.   Peer Specialists are more attuned to being with others who are having similar experiences without fear–they have “been there”.  Qualified, trained Peer Specialists can provide  appropriate support as a complement to support offered by licensed providers, such as MDs.   These Peer Specialists may in fact be changing our system of mental healthcare into a process that is more humane, more efficient, less costly,  and less dependent on psychiatric medications.  Peer support also contributes to building supportive community.  Training as Peer Specialists is available in private and state run organisations.

Your take home: You will

• Better understand the breadth of support services  in USA, UK and NZ
• Be inspired: hear from 17 leaders in the field.
• Get references: current research on the effectiveness of peer support
• Have access to new models for creating peer  support services in your community
• Gain information and contacts on harm reduction re: withdrawal from psych meds
• Know about training as a Peer Specialist
• Expand your basic knowledge and skills via further reading/ viewing/ training.

Format:

Take the course at your convenience.  You receive four chapters all at once so you can pick and choose what you want to see/read.  You will have the materials to review for an unlimited time.  You can participate  on any computer or mobile device.

Chapters are:

1. Peer Support: Part of the New Paradigm (66 min)
2. Peers Who Facilitate Peers: Other Voices (159 min)
3. Peer Support: Safely Reduce Over-Reliance on Psych Meds (74 min)
4. More Leaders, Models, and Resources (80 min)

Location:

Online.  User-friendly and easy to follow!

 Facilitator:

Emma Bragdon, PhD. is the Founder & Executive  Director of Integrative Mental Health for You, IMHU.org. She has taught a version of peer counseling and been a participant of the peer movement in various ways spanning diverse cultures since 1980. Emma was licensed as a Marriage, Family and Child Therapist in 1988 and is the author of 7 books. https://imhu.org/about-imhu/founder/