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How do you get into being a peer specialist for people with mental health issues?
I am a college freshman
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3 answers
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
924
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hello!
Being a peer specialist for individuals with mental health issues is a very fulfilling career path, and it is wonderful that you are interested in this work. As a first-year college student, you have lots of time to learn more about this subject and acquire the expertise you need to effectively support others.
A peer specialist, also known as a certified peer specialist or peer support worker, is a person who has directly experienced mental health issues or has worked as a carer and uses that experience to assist others. They assist people in navigating mental health resources, offer emotional support, and exchange coping mechanisms.
Being in recovery and having firsthand experience dealing with mental health issues are excellent prerequisites for this position. This first-hand knowledge is essential for many peer specialist roles, since it enables you to uniquely connect with and support others.
How to Get Started
A first step is to research certification programmes for peer specialists. Most states in the US have certification requirements, and each one has its unique procedure. Researching your state's Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) programme is a smart move to start. For this practice, you can also get extra training like Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and national credentials like the National Certified Peer Specialist (NCPS).
Think about volunteering or interning with mental health organisations because experience is just as valuable as qualification. Volunteers that are enthusiastic about helping others are welcome at a lot of community centres, crisis hotlines, and charity organisations. Additionally, you can participate in campus mental health advocacy groups.
Additionally helpful are college courses in counseling, social work, or psychology. These classes can help you gain a better understanding of mental health and how to support others, but a degree is not usually necessary for peer support roles. Research your college to see if it offers peer assistance training programmes, as some do.
You can begin looking for peer specialist employment after completing your training and gaining some experience. Certified peer specialists are frequently employed by hospitals, mental health clinics, and crisis centres. You can also search for positions on employment boards such as Indeed, LinkedIn, and the website of your state's mental health department.
One of the most fulfilling ways to improve people's lives is as a peer specialist. You get the chance to learn about various facets of mental health work, gain experience, and determine whether this is the perfect career route for you because you are just starting out in college. The abilities you acquire, including active listening, empathy, and mental health awareness, will be useful in any field, even if you ultimately choose to pursue a different path.
Best wishes!
Being a peer specialist for individuals with mental health issues is a very fulfilling career path, and it is wonderful that you are interested in this work. As a first-year college student, you have lots of time to learn more about this subject and acquire the expertise you need to effectively support others.
A peer specialist, also known as a certified peer specialist or peer support worker, is a person who has directly experienced mental health issues or has worked as a carer and uses that experience to assist others. They assist people in navigating mental health resources, offer emotional support, and exchange coping mechanisms.
Being in recovery and having firsthand experience dealing with mental health issues are excellent prerequisites for this position. This first-hand knowledge is essential for many peer specialist roles, since it enables you to uniquely connect with and support others.
How to Get Started
A first step is to research certification programmes for peer specialists. Most states in the US have certification requirements, and each one has its unique procedure. Researching your state's Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) programme is a smart move to start. For this practice, you can also get extra training like Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and national credentials like the National Certified Peer Specialist (NCPS).
Think about volunteering or interning with mental health organisations because experience is just as valuable as qualification. Volunteers that are enthusiastic about helping others are welcome at a lot of community centres, crisis hotlines, and charity organisations. Additionally, you can participate in campus mental health advocacy groups.
Additionally helpful are college courses in counseling, social work, or psychology. These classes can help you gain a better understanding of mental health and how to support others, but a degree is not usually necessary for peer support roles. Research your college to see if it offers peer assistance training programmes, as some do.
You can begin looking for peer specialist employment after completing your training and gaining some experience. Certified peer specialists are frequently employed by hospitals, mental health clinics, and crisis centres. You can also search for positions on employment boards such as Indeed, LinkedIn, and the website of your state's mental health department.
One of the most fulfilling ways to improve people's lives is as a peer specialist. You get the chance to learn about various facets of mental health work, gain experience, and determine whether this is the perfect career route for you because you are just starting out in college. The abilities you acquire, including active listening, empathy, and mental health awareness, will be useful in any field, even if you ultimately choose to pursue a different path.
Best wishes!
Annah Edmonds
Licensed Clinical Counselor and Art Therapist
151
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Annah’s Answer
Peer Specialists work with all different communities of people- from youth to geriatrics. The amazing thing about peer work is that it does not require a graduate degree, making it much more affordable. It can also be a steppingstone to continuing your education, if that is what you choose. To be a peer you do need to have what is termed "lived experience." This means you have overcome a mental health illness such as addiction or depression (for example). Something significant that you have personally experienced and overcome. As a peer you are talking with people in a more personal way, sharing your own recovery story. You may also be doing a lot of listening and guiding, providing resources, and acting as a mentor. I have worked alongside peer counselors in crisis settings, supporting housing, outreach, and integrative health settings. In Seattle we have a great organization literally called, PEER Seattle. There are several locations across Washington; they provide individual support and lead support groups. It is a wonderful entry point into the world of social services; it may also lead to a satisfying lifelong career. The training is typically two weeks and in WA you can do it via the state Health Care Authority website. This site (visit the HCA for your own state) explains the steps needed; it includes an online pre-requisite course and post-course exam with a passing grade. The cost is minimal; you may also start working as a peer (with some organizations) if you are registered for the course and plan to complete it within a specific period of time (from date of employment). Good luck to you! Peers are amazing!
David Padilla
ABA
18
Answers
Santa Ana, California
Updated
David’s Answer
Hi.
In order to become a peer specialist for mental issues, I recommend to get a major in Clinical counseling with adolescent and children Emphasis.
David Padilla
In order to become a peer specialist for mental issues, I recommend to get a major in Clinical counseling with adolescent and children Emphasis.
David Padilla