I suffer from "co-morbid, chronic, and progressive" mental health conditions and offer peer support to those actively suffering from mental health episodes. I practice active listening with others in the same situation. I have to level set internally the expectation that I may have periods of remission, but will never fully recover. Others with psychotic complications tend to resonate best with my story. I will not provide advice, but it is very likely that I can share something similar that I have experienced and almost surely have a friend that has gone through something similar.
I do my best to adhere to the guidelines laid out to be a CPS-MH Core Competencies
- Recovery-oriented: Peer workers hold out hope to those they serve, partnering with them to envision and achieve a meaningful and purposeful life. Peer workers help those they serve identify and build on strengths and empower them to choose for themselves, recognizing that there are multiple pathways to recovery.
- Person-centered: Peer recovery support services are always directed by the person participating in services. Peer recovery support is personalized to align with the specific hopes, goals, and preferences of the people served and to respond to specific needs the people has identified to the peer worker.
- Voluntary: Peer workers are partners or consultants to those they serve. They do not dictate the types of services provided or the elements of recovery plans that will guide their work with peers. Participation in peer recovery support services is always contingent on peer choice.
- Relationship-focused: The relationship between the peer worker and the peer is the foundation on which peer recovery support services and support are provided. The relationship between the peer worker and peer is respectful, trusting, empathetic, collaborative, and mutual.
- Trauma-informed: Peer recovery support utilizes a strength-based framework that emphasizes physical, psychological, and emotional safety and creates opportunities for survivors to rebuild a sense of control and empowerment.