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Why Peer Support Specialist are Needed on Treatment Teams

I'm a mental health support person and take pride in my work assisting others on their recovery journey. My position enables me to work on treatment teams alongside mental health professionals such as psychiatrists, therapists, case managers, and substance abuse counselors. 

    My job is important because I can better relate to peers with mental health conditions. Encouraging them to press forward in spite of living with a brain disorder that can be debilitating. This position is highly effective, needed, and growing nationwide.


The Certified Peer Specialist

Peer support is a growing element in treatment services. It's a Medicaid-billable service here in Georgia. Mental health support persons work with clinicians an peers in recovery to promote healthy coping tools and lifestyle habits.

    The position is titled, certified peer specialist or CPS. Our job is to model recovery and share our stories when relevant. Moreover, educate peers on their mental health diagnosis and provide strategies to control symptoms. Promote life skills and understanding how recovery is possible whatever that may look like to individuals.


Evidence Based Intervention

Utilizing evidence based interventions such as Mary Copeland's WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan). The WRAP is an informal psychiatric advance directive. It provides medical instructions on how to care for us whenever in crisis. For treatment teams and caregivers. The Plan offers insight on signs that we're well and those symptoms and signs of crisis.

    WRAP is a highly effective wellness tool to create, reflect, and share. It identifies medications that work and don't. Treatment facility preferences. People that should be included in the crisis plan.

    I've shared my WRAP with my treatment team and family. It helps to have a better understanding of my recovery needs.

    As a CPS I appreciate the opportunity to take care of my wellbeing. I strive to take care of my mental health in order to lead a quality life and continue mentoring others. Practicing and sharing effective coping tools with peers is a rewarding job.


Challenges of CPS

Still, every job has its challenges. My main concern is being underpaid but responsible for workloads comparable to clinicians. I value my job and enjoy it but due to the labor and careful intervention planning my position demands better pay.

    Another concern for the CPS position is not being viewed as another mental health professional like the other healthcare providers but tasked with similar duties. Sometimes the job is like case management in researching and linking people to community services.

    We are responsible for educating and empowering peers to gain insight on coping strategies and ways to accomplish goals such as employment and independent living. Yet, struggle to be recognized by fellow coworkers in the field.

    However, there is a downside. Whenever I'm struggling its challenging to fulfill my work obligations. Therefore, I must find creative ways to enhance my self-care and keep my job. This looks like reducing my caseload. Lowering work hours. While working closely with my doctor and therapist.


The Value of Having a CPS

Still, I'm passionate about the CPS position because it can influence more peers at leading quality lives in recovery. Managing our own self-care needs is a priority to staying in the position. We must be consistent at practicing healthy coping mechanisms for ourselves and fellow peers.

    The job is rewarding in supporting individuals. Mentoring them on how to excel at meeting wellness goals. Supporting people at managing wellness is a huge benefit to the job.

    A great advantage that we have is relating to others in recovery in a way that providers and other professionals can't. The CPS has a better understanding of the challenges. Also, methods to manage wellbeing.


Become a CPS

I encourage you to consider becoming a certified peer specialist. The position demands ongoing training like other mental health professionals.

    In Georgia, we are trained through the Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network. There are similar positions for youth and parents as well.

  • Have you experienced a peer specialist on your treatment team?

  • Would you consider becoming a CPS?

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