Our Mission
PEERS is a diverse community of people with mental health experiences. Our mission is to promote innovative peer-based wellness strategies. We create culturally-rich, community-based mental health programs that honor diverse experiences and eliminate stigma and discrimination.
Our Vision
We envision a world where people can freely choose among many mental health options that address the needs of the whole person. We see a future where people with mental health experiences are valued for their essential contributions to society.
Our Values
Hope, Collaboration, Strengths-based, Cultural Responsiveness, Lived Experience, Peer support, Social Inclusion, Self-determination, Empowerment, and Personal Responsibility.
History of Peers
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2001 Tracy Thode Founds PEERS Dissatisfied with the lack of peer services and collaborative approaches for mental health care, Tracy Thode, then a student at California State University Hayward, creates Peers Envisioning and Engaging in Recovery Services. 2002 WRAP Program Begins PEERS begins using the Wellness Recovery Action Plan for helping consumers take control of their own wellbeing. 2004 Prop 63 Passes California Proposition 63 passes, providing a significant funding increase for mental health providers at the county level, including PEERS. 2007 Partnership With POCC Begins PEERS begins collaborating with the Pool of Consumer Champions — a partnership that continues to this day. 2009 Anti-Stigma And Discrimination Campaign In conjunction with Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services, PEERS starts work on a “Social Inclusion” campaign aimed at decreasing stigma and increasing community participation for mental health consumers. This effort eventually grows into the Everyone Counts Campaign. 2010 Media And Communications Department Begins PEERS’ award-winning Media and Communications program starts work. This program will eventually produce Shine, Mental Health Matters, Stories of Recovery, and other video and audio projects. 2012 Mental Health And Wellness Radio Wins Award The Mental Health and Wellness Radio episode “‘Dark Girls’ Documentary and the Psychological Effects of Colorism” wins a New American Media Award. 2012 PEERS Releases “Shine” A Documentary Film Shine, a film focusing on TAY who have recovered from mental health challenges born from trauma, was an official selection of the 2014 Oakland International Film Festival. 2013 WRAP Around The World Conference PEERS hosts 450 attendees for the International WRAP Around the World Conference. This conference focuses on empowering consumers through the self-directed care approach of the Wellness Recovery Action Plan. 2014 Congressional Commendation From Barbara Lee PEERS honored with congressional commendation from U.S. Representative Barbara Lee for our valuable work in the East Bay community. 2015 TAY Program Hosts ‘Let’s Talk Transitions’ Summit PEERS’ Transition Age Youth program hosts the “Let’s Talk Transitions: Sharing Resources to Revolutionize Mental Health for Youth and Young Adults” two day summit. 2016 TAY Program Wins Young Minds Advocacy Award PEERS TAY Leadership Team wins “Young Leaders Award” for hosting “Let’s Talk Transitions” summit the previous year. 2017 Mental Health Consumer Movement History Event PEERS hosts an event in conjunction with the Pool of Consumer Champions (POCC) that reflects on PEERS’ role in the larger Mental Health Consumer Movement and the history of the organization. Former staff and board members are in attendance. |