Peers Envisioning and Engaging in Recovery Services
  • Home
  • About
    • Welcome to PEERS
    • Directions
    • Contact
    • Staff
    • Board
    • Jobs at PEERS
    • Volunteers
    • Impact Report
  • Programs
    • Wellness Recovery Action Plan - WRAP
    • Black Wellness and Resilience - BWR
    • Hope & Faith
    • Clutter Support
    • LEVS Speakers Bureau
    • Healing Arts
    • Special Messages
  • Calendar
  • Blog
  • Media
    • Blog
    • Mental Health 101
  • Partners
    • Everyone Counts Campaign
    • About
    • Media Alerts
    • Outreach
    • SAGA (LGBTQ)
  • Donate

For Tricia Hersey, the “Nap Bishop,” Rest is Resistance, Racial Justice

2/2/2023

0 Comments

 
Picture
Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash
By Leah Harris

There’s intense social pressure, especially around the time of New Year’s, to set goals to be better, grind harder, be more efficient, and ever-healthier and more well. In recent years, many are wisely beginning to revolt against New Year’s resolutions that reinforce the toxic cultural push towards relentless self-improvement and machine-like productivity. ​

Read More
0 Comments

Navigating Fatphobia During the Holidays

12/9/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
Photo by Diana Polekhina on Unsplash
By Leah Harris

CW: fatphobia, body shaming


The holidays can be stressful for all kinds of reasons. Parties and social interactions can be rewarding, but draining. There are all the expectations and financial stress around holiday gift-giving and consumerism. For fat people, these stresses are compounded by anticipating and experiencing fatphobia and body-shaming while attending holiday gatherings. Thankfully, fat liberation activists have developed a variety of practical resources to lessen the pain and humiliation of anti-fatness during the holiday season. Here is some of their collected wisdom.

Read More
0 Comments

Looking for a Way out of the Fog

11/14/2022

0 Comments

 
After receiving a mental health diagnosis, journalist Stephanie Foo embarks on journey to answer one question: can complex PTSD be cured? What followed was a sprawling exploration of race, culture, history, and complex trauma, which she details in her memoir, "What My Bones Know".
​
By Leah Harris

Read More
0 Comments

PEERS will be at Redefining Crazy Conference 2022!

10/12/2022

0 Comments

 
We're excited to announce that several PEERS staff members will be presenting at Redefining Crazy: It's the System, Not the People.

Redefining Crazy is an online virtual conference hosted by San Francisco Mental Health Association that tackles the topic of mental health from various perspectives. This year's conference is taking place Wednesday, October 12th through Friday, October 14th. Each day will kick off with a keynote presentation around noon each day followed by a full lineup of workshops from peers and mental health providers, which includes some of our wonderful staff. Here's a list of the presentations our staff are leading: 

  • May Our Burning Bridges Light the Path Forward, October 12th @ 1:30pm, presented by Ana and Angel
  • Spiritual Gumbo, October 12th @ 4pm, presented by Renee
  • Hoarding: From a Loved One's Point of View, October 14th @ 2:45pm, presented by Kozi and Zakiya

The full schedule for the event can be found here.

Registration to this event is completely free. Folks interested in attending can register by visiting this link. 

 

0 Comments

Body Doubling: Not Just for ADHD

10/3/2022

1 Comment

 
Enter body doubling, a productivity hack that can help you start and complete the tasks you dread the most.

By Leah Harris

Read More
1 Comment

Navigating Crisis Support in the Age of 988

9/6/2022

0 Comments

 
By Leah Harris

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and the biggest news in suicide prevention this year is the launch of the new, easy-to-remember 988 number for mental health crisis and suicide prevention. ​

Read More
0 Comments

TAY Leadership Club Is Back - With a New Name!

8/16/2022

1 Comment

 
We have some exciting news regarding our TAY programs for Fall 2022. TAY Leadership Club will back with an updated name. Additionally, we have a couple of new offerings for teens and young adults aged 16-24. Read on to learn all about what we have planned.

Read More
1 Comment

WRAP® Returns to PEERS For Fall 2022!

8/5/2022

3 Comments

 
Good news for WRAP practitioners and aspiring facilitators. WRAP group discussions and orientations are returning to PEERS this month! Keep reading to learn all you need to know about when and how the program will return.

Read More
3 Comments

Peer Support 101: A Primer on Peer Support and Support Groups

8/1/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
Photo by Antenna on Unsplash
By Alejandro Ramos​

Let's talk about peer support. 

Peer support is a powerful but often overlooked approach for mental health support and recovery. It involves evidence-based practices that provide alternatives for folks that have been maligned by mental health support rooted in the medical model. That's why we want to share a little bit about peer support and give you an introduction into how it works. By the end of this post, you'll be more informed on the matter and hopefully consider exploring it further as a way to find support. 

What is a peer support group?

A peer support group is one made up of peers, or individuals that share similar experiences with a particular challenge or circumstance. Here at PEERS, for example, our groups are made of peers that have lived mental health experiences or have a loved one with lived mental health experiences. These groups meet regularly to talk through events, share tips, and support one another.

How can peer support help me?

Peer support can be very effective in helping you improve your quality of life. Peer support has been shown to increase hope and self-esteem in participants. Additionally, participating in peer support groups can reduce reliance on formal medical services, which means less time in hospitals and lower costs.

Finally, peer support can help you feel supported and included since your peers will share similar experiences to yours.

Which challenges can peer support groups address?

Peer support groups can address a variety of different topics, including but not limited to:
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Grief
  • Clutter support

How can I find a peer support group?

There are a couple of ways to find a peer support group that best fits you. You could start by reaching out to your primary care or mental health care provider.

Health fairs are also a great way to find out about peer support organizations. You can meet their staff in person, ask them questions, and learn about their offerings.

Lastly, you can also try using a search engine like Google to find a support group. Just type in “peer support groups near me” or “peer support groups in (insert your city here)”.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, this helped answer some of your questions and dispel any doubts you had regarding support groups. They can be super helpful and impactful for anyone embarking on a recovery journey. 

If you think you’re ready but still need a little more help, we can help. Just send us a quick email at info@peersnet.org or give us a call at (510) 832-7337. We’re more than happy to answer more of your questions and help you get started with finding support. 
0 Comments

The Lowdown on 988 in Alameda County

7/25/2022

0 Comments

 
By Alejandro Ramos​

The new 
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline launched nationwide last week. It’s a newer, sleeker version of the Suicide Prevention Lifeline. It has a shortened number - just 988 -  and added services like text and online chat. The goal is to make it easier for folks to reach crisis support by making the lifeline more accessible and recognizable. ​

Read More
0 Comments

<<Previous
Vertical Divider

subscribe

Sign up to our email list to receive our weekly newsletter and stay up to date on our programs and workshops!
* indicates required

About us

PEERS is a diverse community of people with mental health experiences. We envision a world where people can freely choose among many mental health options that address the needs of the whole person.

contact

8393 Capwell Drive, Suite 240
Oakland, CA 94621

(510) 832-7337
admin@peersnet.org
Mon - Fri 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
​© Peers Envisioning and Engaging in Recovery Services. All rights reserved.
  • Home
  • About
    • Welcome to PEERS
    • Directions
    • Contact
    • Staff
    • Board
    • Jobs at PEERS
    • Volunteers
    • Impact Report
  • Programs
    • Wellness Recovery Action Plan - WRAP
    • Black Wellness and Resilience - BWR
    • Hope & Faith
    • Clutter Support
    • LEVS Speakers Bureau
    • Healing Arts
    • Special Messages
  • Calendar
  • Blog
  • Media
    • Blog
    • Mental Health 101
  • Partners
    • Everyone Counts Campaign
    • About
    • Media Alerts
    • Outreach
    • SAGA (LGBTQ)
  • Donate