News /WRAP
PEERS hosts 450 for second international WRAP Around the World Conference
By Shannon Eliot
More than 450 people across the globe gathered to exchange views on WRAP and meet leaders in the mental health field at the WRAP Around the World Conference in Oakland from January 27-29. Held over the course of three days, the conference featured more than 70 workshops and keynote addresses by industry leaders on what the future of the mental health field holds and how WRAP will fit into the new health care paradigm.
WRAP, or Wellness Recovery Action Planning, is an evidence-based practice used worldwide by people who are dealing with mental or...
PEERS appoints Lisa Smusz as new Executive Director
By Jenee Darden
PEERS is excited to announce that Lisa Smusz has taken the helm as the organization’s new Executive Director. Smusz has more than 15 years experience in the mental health field and is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) as well as an instructor at California State University, East Bay.
Smusz began working with PEERS as a contractor in 2001. She was later hired as the full-time Social Inclusion Campaign Program Manager in June 2010 and was subsequently promoted to the role of Associate Director.
Many years ago, Smusz heard a...
PEERS hosts inaugural WRAP for Health Conference with Mary Ellen Copeland
In partnership with Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services, PEERS hosted the inaugural WRAP for Health Conference on May 1, featuring keynote speaker, Mary Ellen Copeland, PhD, author of the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP). The conference, which was held at California State University, East Bay, featured talks from leaders in the mental health field and multiple educational workshops.
Attendees learned how WRAP can improve the health outcomes for individuals in all care settings. WRAP is an evidence-based tool used worldwide by people who are dealing with...
PEERS to bring WRAP to spiritual communities
As part of the Social Inclusion Campaign's goal to integrate spirituality with mental health, PEERS will be launching two new WRAP groups in spiritual communities starting in 2012.
Open to individuals of all faiths, the two ongoing WRAP sessions will be held at Church for Today in Berkeley and the Family Bible Fellowship in Newark. The two locations were chosen for the pilot program because of their strong leadership and previous work around mental health, according to Spirituality Liaison Monique Tarver.
"We are lucky to have two senior pastors in spiritual...
