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. ​

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. 

 

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. ​

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.

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. 

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. ​