Peer-to-Peer • About

The Peer-to-Peer Recovery Education Program is for any person diagnosed with a mental illness who is interested in maintaining wellness.

If you’re a consumer who’s ever wondered...

What does my diagnosis mean?
How can I prevent relapse?
How can I deal with my mood swings and/or racing thoughts?
What do I do if I have a co-occurring addiction?
How might spirituality and medication aid in recovery?
How do I improve my interpersonal relationships?
What are coping strategies for dealing with the trials of mental illness?
How do I make good decisions for myself?
What can I do to ensure my wishes are carried out in the event of a mental health crisis?
How do I stay safe in a hospital or jail setting?
How do I become a mental health advocate?

NAMI’s Peer-to-Peer Recovery Education Class might be for you.

Peer-to-Peer • Details

Peer-to-Peer is a free, ten week class taught by trained consumers who have “been there.” Typically, three Peer Mentors, trained as educators, facilitate each course. There is absolutely no cost to you, and it is a great setting in which to meet other consumers who are going through what you are going through. The class is a safe, confidential setting in which to focus on recovery.

The course is taught by trained your peers - people like you who are coping daily with their mental illness.
10 week course, 2 hours per week
Peer-to-Peer is offered multiple times a year throughout the county
Available in English and Spanish
All course materials are FREE to participants
Meet other consumers who understand
Confidential Setting

Peer-to-Peer • Course Topics

Peer-to-Peer’s week by week curriculum is as follows:

Week One: Orientation, Getting to Know Each Other
Week Two: Introduction, Stigma, Discrimination, Begin relapse Prevention Plan
Week Three: Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Thoughts, Feelings, Sleep. Continue Relapse Prevention Planning
Week Four: Panic Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Senses, Behavior. Continue Relapse Prevention Planning.
Week Five: Storytelling
Week Six: Language, Emotions, Continue Relapse Prevention Planning
Week Seven: Addictions, Spirituality, Medication, Complete Relapse Prevention Plans
Week Eight: Coping Strategies, Decision Making
Week Nine: Relationships, Family Member Guest Speaker, Begin Advance Directives
Week Ten: Empowerment, Advocacy, “Complete” Advance Directive, Graduation and Party.

Peer-to-Peer • Benefits

Benefits of the program include:

Learning about the various diagnoses
Getting to know other consumers
Developing a comprehensive, personalized relapse prevention plan
Learning how to move from despair to acceptance to advocacy

Peer-to-Peer balances basic recovery education with relapse prevention planning, and discussion of important topics such as relationships, spirituality, addictions, staying safe, coping skills, and decision making. Major mental illnesses are covered, and participants are given a chance to begin an Advance Care Directive in Psychiatric Care. Stress reduction and mindfulness techniques are also included at the end of each session.

After a student has completed the program, they are encouraged to apply to become a class Mentor. They may also keep up with other graduates at reunion dinners held several times a year.

Peer-to-Peer • Participant Comments

I really liked the social aspect. I have made and kept many friends from the class, and it made me feel much less alone.
Peer to Peer has helped me so much. Before I took the class, I was unable to work, now I’m back in the workforce.
For me, the best part was hearing the family member’s perspective. It helped me understand what my mother goes through.
The Relapse Prevention Grid was really helpful—I still use it.
I really enjoyed learning about the different diagnoses. I feel like I know much more now.
The P2P class gave great insight and provided its students with a safe environment with which to gain resourceful information. the delivery of information was very thorough and most helpful.
Telling my story during the Storytelling week seemed scary, but I felt wonderful after I did it.
My favorite thing was the Decision making tools, I always had such a hard time making decisions but this really helped.
The mentors were so nice and not like regular teachers at all. You know that they have really been there.
Peer to Peer has helped me realize some of my dreams. I’m looking forward to getting trained to be a mentor.