Peer respites provide an alternative to psychiatric hospitalization for people experiencing deep emotional and/or mental distress. They come with many upsides including cost savings, less disruption to someone's life, and the benefit of support and wisdom from others who've been through similar struggles. Peer respites are popping up with increasing frequency across the world. Yet, at the same time their numbers are growing, they continue to be not very well understood. Understanding peer respite is the first key to ensuring that they are developed with integrity, well supported in the community, and accessible to all those who might want to use them. This book provides a comprehensive review of peer respite including: - What is the mission of a peer respite? - Who is it for? - What does a stay at a peer respite look like and how is it different than more conventional services? - What is involved with hiring and developing a peer respite team? - What are some of the likely outcomes and challenges? - And so much more! This book is intended for groups wanting to start up a peer respite (or sustain an existing one), potential funders who are contemplating support of such an effort, and anyone interested in better understanding what peer respite is all about!

"The Peer Power Playbook: A PRS Guide to Mastering Mental Health Support" is an essential guide authored by Srea Jones-Harrington, tailored specifically for Peer Recovery Specialists who are dedicated to playing a pivotal role in mental health recovery. This book serves as an indispensable playbook, empowering peers to fully embrace and excel in their influential roles. Authored by a passionate advocate for self-love, Srea Jones-Harrington brings her foundational principles of self-love to the forefront of mental health recovery support. This connection enriches the book's approach, providing a unique perspective on how self-love can significantly enhance the recovery process and foster deeper, more empathetic engagements with clients. Structured to address the challenges and opportunities inherent in peer recovery, the book covers a comprehensive range of topics. From understanding mental health disorders to mastering effective communication strategies and crisis management, it provides actionable advice and real-world solutions. Each chapter is crafted to build on the last, culminating in a robust framework for practitioners. "The Peer Power Playbook: A PRS Guide to Mastering Mental Health Support" is more than just a manual; it is a journey through the art and science of peer recovery. It equips readers with the tools necessary to support, inspire, and lead others in their journey towards mental health recovery, all while advocating for the indispensable role of self-love in healing. For anyone committed to making a significant impact in the lives of those they support, this book is a treasure trove of wisdom, strategies, and heartfelt guidance.

This book reflects on what it is like being a peer support specialist. To qualify to be a peer support specialist, one must have a lived experience of mental illness, trauma, and/or substance abuse. As a former mental health provider, I worked with people who struggled daily with mental health challenges. Peer support gives them the opportunity to talk with someone who understands, empathizes with and validates their struggles. Together we nurtured a relationship of mutual support that worked toward personal goals unique to each of our recovery journeys. Through this relationship, we regained hope in a life that thrived. This book chronicles my growth as a peer support specialist and a deepening of my understanding of the peer-to-peer relationship and our shared recovery journeys. The book also reflects on my own struggles with mental illness.

The world of mental health practice has been changed forever by the introduction of peer workers into both the state and the NGO sector. This Practice Guide is a exploration of this new worker by three critical Thinkers. Ron Coleman spent 13 years of his life as a service user in the UK mental health system spending 7.5 years of his life as an inpatient in various hospitals in London and Greater Manchester. His experience of hospital and his journey out of Psychiatry is now reflected in everything he does and you will find some of that experience within the pages of this book. William Ellis has had many roles in his life and has worked in many differing roles within the field of mental health. More importantly William has always been open about the struggles he has gone through and he brings these insights. Karen Taylor spent 17 years as a psychiatric nurse before leaving to work full time with Ron Coleman as a director of Working to Recovery Ltd. This background made Karen an Ideal Author alongside Ron and William It is this three way combination that brings to the market a book that can be seen as different, full of Learning and hope for the future.

`It would be of use to adults and teachers who are starting to research peer support and the logistics of adopting such a scheme in their school. It would also be of use to saff who are currently operating a peer support scheme. I personally will use this book and keep a copy in the counselling service library, recommending it to counsellors/trainers and teachers interested or already facilitating peer support in their schools′ - British Journal of Guidance and Counselling `It is to read, comprehensive in its structure and advice and through examples of first-hand experiences, makes the reader feel enthusiastic about trying out different ideas.... An excellent handbook for the manager of a peer support system for any organization′ - Anne Woodhouse, Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry Peer support systems are increasingly being used in schools and other youth settings to tackle problems such as bullying, rejection, social exclusion, sexual identity, self-esteem and loneliness. Peer Support in Action is a practical guide which gives adults who work with children and young people the knowledge, understanding and practical tools to provide effective and appropriate systems of peer support. Helen Cowie and Patti Wallace combine insights drawn from practice with up-to-date research findings, to give a sound basis for peer-based interventions. They encourage readers to build on the potential for offering help which many young people have and give practical guidance on how to train, guide and supervise them in supporting their peers. Peer Support in Action is for teachers, educational psychologists, social workers, education welfare officers, counsellors and counselling psychologists and all professionals involved in the pastoral care and guidance of children and young people.

There were more visits to peer support/self-help groups last year, than there were visits to the offices of mental health professionals. Peer support groups have exploded in popularity, as the public and the healthcare community recognize that they provide an effective complement to formal care, and improve the chance that many participants will have better healthcare outcomes. Few peer support/self-help group leaders have more than minimal training in how to lead a group successfully. This is unfortunate, as leading a self-help group is often challenging. This pocket resource is designed to provide easy access to key information and strategies to help Peer Specialists and other lay group leaders develop and expand their group facilitation skills so they can lead healthy thriving peer support groups.