Peer Support

“Mental Health Peer Support Services”, “Community Health Worker Services” – What do those titles mean?

Peers are people with lived experience of having mental illness and who have succeeded in achieving recovery (which means different things for different people). Peers get initial and ongoing classroom training, certification, and on-the-job training.

Community Health Workers are usually Peers who go on to support people with more than just their mental health. Our CHWs make mental health their primary focus and address the underlying issues preventing recovery, like chronic health conditions or social challenges.

Why Peers?

Peers posses something that is not required of licensed clinicians and other professionals– the “I’ve been there.”

They have experienced paranoia, had suicidal thoughts, been hospitalized and been in the backseat of police cars for having a mental health emergency. And they have learned how to navigate the system in spite of those experiences.

Why Your Peers?

GG’s Peers have experience with involuntary hospitalizations, severe and persistent mood and thought disorders, and history of using drugs and alcohol to cope with their trauma and illnesses. Because they have those vast experiences, it’s easier to help others who also have severe illness.

GG’s Peers have each worked for at least two organizations, fulfilling their role to the greatest extent, including being leaders and innovators where they’ve worked. They are passionate about evidence-based and trauma-informed services. And their work for the community doesn’t stop at 5 o’clock; that’s why GG exists.