Peer Support Specialist Training
Montana Office of Rural Health/AHEC exists to enhance access to quality healthcare, particularly primary and preventative care, by improving the supply and distribution of healthcare professional through community/academic educational partnerships. Our partnerships have created programs and committees to support Montana communities and the state's healthcare workforce.
What is a Peer Support Specialist?
SAMHSA defines peer support specialists as, "people who have been successful in the recovery process who help others experiencing similar situations. Through shared understanding, respect, and mutual empowerment, peer support workers help people become and stay engaged in the recovery process and reduce the likelihood of relapse. Peer support services can effectively extend the reach of treatment beyond the clinical setting into the everyday environment of those seeking a successful, sustained recovery process." (SAMHSA, 2024).
Why train Peer Support Specialists?
Peer Support Specialists provide a level of validation, empathy, and understanding not found in all professional behavioral health roles. By using their lived experience, PSS are able to guide people through recovery goals, develop strategies for self-empowerment and self-compassion, and take steps towards living fulfilling and engaged personal lives. According to one literature review with the National Institutes of Health, peer support specialist services are beneficial for a multitude of reasons for patients, inlcuding but not limited to; "increased self-esteem and efficacy, sense of control, empowerment, hope, belief in bringing about change in their lives, sense of belonging, social support, engagement in self- management, services, treatment and community; and improved social functioning, quality of life and life satisfaction. Further, peer support also resulted in decreases in hospitalizations, self-stigma, psychotic symptoms, depression, substance use and fewer feelings of social isolation."
Questions?
Natalee Wheeler
Project and Training Coordinator
natalee.wheeler@montana.edu
(406) 994-6858