Peer To Peer ProgramPeer-to-Peer is a unique, experiential learning program for people with any serious mental illness who are interested in establishing and maintaining their wellness and recovery. The course was written by Kathryn Cohan, a person with a psychiatric disability who is also a former provider and manager in the mental health field and a longtime mutual support group member and facilitator. An advisory board comprised of consumer members of NAMI, in consultation with Joyce Burland, Ph.D., author of the successful NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program, helped guide the curriculum's development. Peer-to-Peer consists of nine two-hour units and is taught by a team of three trained "mentors" who are personally experienced at living well with mental illness.
Mentors are trained in weekend-long training sessions, supplied with teaching manuals, and are paid a stipend for each course they teach.
Participants come away from the course with a binder of hand-out materials, as well as many other tangible resources: an advance directive; a "relapse prevention plan" to help identify tell-tale feelings, thoughts, behavior or events that may warn of impending relapse and to organize for intervention; mindfulness exercises to help focus and calm thinking; and survival skills for working with providers and the general public. Class Topic List Each class contains a combination of lecture and interactive exercise material and closes with Mindfulness Practice (techniques offered to develop and expand awareness). Each class builds on the one before: attendance each week, therefore, is required. Week One Introductions, Stigma, Discrimination Begin Relapse Prevention Planning Week Two Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, Depression Thoughts, Feelings, Sleep Continue Relapse Prevention Planning Week Three
Panic Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Senses, Behavior Continue Relapse Prevention Planning Week Four
Story Telling Week Five Language Emotions Continue Relapse Prevention Planning Week Six Addictions Spirituality Medication Complete Relapse Prevention Plans Week Seven Coping Strategies Decision Making Week Eight Relationships Begin Advance Directive Week Nine Empowerment, Advocacy "Complete" Advance Directive Evaluation Peer-to-Peer programs are currently offered by several NAMI California Affiliates. CLICK HERE for list of NAMI California Affiliates offering the program. The program is also available in a growing number of states around the country. CLICK HERE for the contact information for your state. NOTE: This program is currently only available in English. Please contact NAMI California to request that the program be made available in other languages. Source: NAMI National Web Site | | |