The Michigan Department of Community Health recognizes the value of peer support and is demonstrating a strong commitment to training and employing consumers within the public mental health system. This commitment is consistent with the vision documented in a paper published by Center for Mental Health Services entitled Consumer-Directed Transformation to a Recovery-Based Mental Health System.
The MDCH policy on recovery and the role of peer support specialists is articulated in a
March 2007 memo from Patrick Barrie, former Deputy Director of the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Administration.
As of December 2010, the MDCH has trained and certified 775 consumers to deliver peer support specialist services in Michigan.
For information about the application process for Peer Support Specialist training and the requirements for certification please contact your community mental health service provider agency liaison.
In addition to providing peer support services, mental health consumers serve in an advisory capacity on many boards and committees at local, state and national levels. Of course, a significant number of consumers contribute to their local communities in many other ways through various forms of paid employment, volunteerism and community service. This section of the website will provide information and regular updates about important work consumers are doing to transform the public mental health system and strengthen their communities.
Read "The Pillars of Peer Support: Transforming Mental Health Systems of Care Through Peer Support Services " presented at the Pillars of Peer Support Services Summit at the Carter Center in Atlanta, Georgia in November of 2009.
Read the position Statement on the role of peer support services from Mental Health America.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Center for Mental Health Services (CMS) published findings regarding the effectiveness of consumer-run programs in a report entitled Effectiveness Findings of a Large Multi-Site Study of Consumer Operated Services (1998 - 2006).
View the Training Teleconference: Peer Support and Peer Providers: Redefining Mental Health Recovery from SAMHSA.
View a list of Consumer-Run Statewide Organizations from the National Empowerment Center.
View the Directory of Consumer-Driven Services from the National Mental Health Consumers' Self-Help Clearinghouse.
If you are aware of additional resources or references about peer support services or Peer Support Specialists, please contact us at info@mirecovery.org or (734) 785-7700.