Peer Support & Recovery Coaching
Defining Mental Health:
Understanding Key Concepts
A "Peer" in Behavioral Health
In the field of behavioral health, peers are individuals who specifically navigate the challenges of living with psychiatric disorders and/or addiction. While this narrow definition applies to individuals with these conditions, it is important to note that most people are particular about the peers they rely on for support, emphasizing trust and compatibility.
What is a Peer Recovery Coach at Hegira Health?
A certified-peer with lived experience who assists by providing resources and support to aid in the challenges of recovery.
At Hegira Health, we recognize the power of peers in offering essential support and understanding to individuals on their journey towards recovery.
What is Peer Support?
Peer Support is a service provided by a person who has lived experience with mental illness or addiction and is committed to and knowledgeable about Recovery. Peers have a unique ability to gain the trust and respect of other consumers of care. Peer Support is a growing movement within community health. It is an evidence-based practice model shown to help increase life skills and gain confidence. I would use a statistic here about outcomes for peers used in treatment centers and the like.
Who are Peer Supports?
A Peer Support Specialist is someone who has lived experience with mental health and a Recovery Coach has lived experience with a substance use disorder or addiction, that is dedicated to being an advocate for others who are at any stage of readiness to get well.
All HHI Peer Support Specialists and Recovery Coaches participate in specific training for their position obtaining and keeping up to date with state certifications and credentialing.
What is a Peer Recovery Coach?
Peers are those that have lived experience in addiction from any substance or behavioral addiction that also have experience in recovery. Peers have at least two years sober from their addiction.
Peers work with individuals who are seeking recovery or support. Peers provide support to anyone regardless of sobriety, income, background, or insurance. Peer coaches can assist with linking you to resources, being your advocate, or even assisting you in becoming a peer yourself!
Peer Support Groups & Individual is a Peer Recovery Coach?
You can meet with your coach over the phone, in the community, at meetings, for court, or over video.
We have two Peer-led support groups run via video call in the evening, that are drop in and voluntary, as needed. Our coaches can help you with accessing the video. If you’d like to attend just the group you can do so by asking one of the peers, therapist, case manager, or staff to sign you up.
Please see our resource flyers for more information or ask one of our coaches listed below.
A Peer Support Specialist or Recovery Coach can help you:
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If you are curious about recovery but don't know where to start
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Help you with smoking cessation
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If you are in crisis
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Work through difficult feelings and thoughts
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Deal with personal issues such as food, hygiene, recreation
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Find Community Resources
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Find ways to socialize
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Find a job
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Research housing options
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Explore ways to take better care of your overall health
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Identify your support system
Learn about mental health recovery
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Support you in your MAT treatment
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Connect you to harm reduction pathways
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Educate you on the multiple pathways of recovery
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Give you the Encouragement and Support to achieve and maintain your goals
Peer Support Specialists and Recovery Coaches offer support, guidance and share personal experience to help you reach the goals you set with your Treatment Team. Peer Support Services are available to adults with serious mental illness and/or co-occurring mental and substance use disorders. For more information on peer support, please ask a member of your Treatment Team.
HHI's Core Behavioral Expectations for Coaches
Adaptability: Ability and attitude toward adjustment to and implementation of work environment changes.
Integrity: Analyzing and handling work responsibilities and challenges with honest and ethical behavior.
Teamwork: Ability to work well and cooperate within a group of employees at all levels; interest in helping to achieve team and/or facility goals.
Critical Thinking: Mental process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information to reach an answer or conclusion.
Problem Solving: Ability to cognitively work through all aspects and details of a problem in order to reach the best possible solution.
Work Approach: Setting high standards of performance for self and others; assuming responsibility and accountability for successfully completing assignments or tasks; self-imposing standards of excellence rather than having standards imposed.
