Missouri Department of Mental Health
Peer Specialist Initiative
A Program of Recovery and Hope
The Department of Mental Health, Division of
Comprehensive Psychiatric Services State Advisory
Council members researched and chose a Peer
Specialist training and certification model. Based on
the Council recommendations, the Division adopted
the Appalachian Consulting Group “Georgia Model”
for Peer Specialist training.
 The Division and the Office of Transformation are
committed to following through on the Council
recommendations to move the mental health system to
a wellness model that empowers individuals to
establish their personal mental health goals and
manage both their mental health and plan of care
through education and supports.
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One primary strategy in transforming the system is to
recognize the power of consumer as providers.
Recognizing consumers as providers is taking root in
the mental health system. Emerging evidence strongly
supports the need for peer support services as a costeffective and complementary adjunct to professional
mental health services and supports.
 Peer support services can move the system to focus
less on illness and disability and more on wellness. To
accomplish this goal, Missouri has provided equal
weight to expertise gained through the “lived
experience” as is done with other credentials or
knowledge base.
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 A Peer
Specialist can share lived experiences of
recovery, share and support the use of recovery
tools and model successful recovery behaviors.
 Through this process, consumers can learn to
identify their strengths and personal resources,
learn to make independent choices, and take a
proactive role in their treatment. Additionally, Peer
Specialists can help consumers connect with other
consumers and with their community at large.
2008-2010
 With the oversight of the State Advisory Council,
six Peer Specialist Basic Trainings were conducted
in 2008-2010. The trainings were conducted in
Jefferson City, St. Louis, Kansas City and
Columbia. The week-long trainings were
conducted by trained individuals employed by the
department and Mental Health America of the
Heartland. Six Missouri Peer Specialist Trainers
have been trained, two of which are Council
members.
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157 individuals have been trained and 90 have reached the
goal of Certified Missouri Peer Specialist status.
20 community mental health centers have sent individuals to
the training and 16 have certified peer specialists working in
their agencies.
10 Consumer Operated Services Program Drop-In Centers
and Warm Lines sent individuals to the training.
2 State-operated psychiatric hospitals have hired peer
specialists
Additionally, the Veteran’s Administration, residential
providers, Services for Independent Living, and two
substance abuse treatment agency have sent individuals to
the training
3 Peer Specialist Supervisor Trainings have been conducted
1 presentation was given at the Missouri Psychiatric
Rehabilitation Association conference in September 2009.
IMPACT OF ILLNESS
There are times in a person’s life when
they are OVERWHELMED by the
disabling power of a diagnosis or mental
illness.
Danger: The Danger at this stage is that
someone will redefine themselves as
their Diagnosis and limit their Future.
The Role of the Peer Specialist
 It is the role of the Peer Specialist to help someone
see that there is more to life then their diagnosis
Peer Specialist Recovery Tool:
 A Peer Specialist can use their own Recovery
Story to help someone see that there is more to life
than a diagnosis.
 A Recovery Story can help someone see that they
are not alone and that there is Hope
LIFE IS LIMITED
 There are times in a person’s life when they
have GIVEN INTO or IS LIMITED BY the
disabling power of a diagnosis or mental illness
 Danger: The Danger in this stage is that a
person will not see any possibilities. A person
is unable to see that they can make a difference
in their life.
The Role of the Peer Specialist
 It is the Role of the Peer Specialist to help
someone see the possibilities in their life. A peer
specialist can help to show someone Hope.
Peer Specialist Recovery Tool
 During this stage, a Peer Specialist can use the
Recovery Tool- Dissatisfaction As and Avenue of
Change- to help someone see the possibilities in
their life.
 This Tool helps a person identify where they are
dissatisfied and help them see how to change it.
CHANGE IS POSSIBLE
 There are times is a person’s life when they are
ACTIVELY QUESTIONING the disabling
power of a diagnosis or mental illness.
 Danger: The Danger of this stage is that
someone might become afraid or discouraged
from taking the necessary “risks” in their
Recovery and they will stay in the “Life is
Limited” stage.
The Role of the Peer Specialist
 The Role of the Peer Specialist is to provide
support and to show someone that their life is NOT
Limited. A Peer Specialist can help someone face
their fears.
Peer Specialist Recovery Tool
 During this stage, a Peer Specialist can use the
Recovery Tool- Facing One’s Fears- to help
someone face their fears about making changes in
their life.
COMMITTMENT TO CHANGE
There are times in a person’s life when
they are CHALLENGING the disabling
power of a diagnosis or mental illness.
Danger: The danger of this stage is that a
person won’t have support, resources, or
skill necessary to make changes in their
life.
The Role of The Peer Specialist
 It is the Role of the Peer Specialist to help provide
the necessary support, resources, and skills that
someone will need to make changes in their life. A
Peer Specialist can also share strategies bases on
their own experiences.
Peer Specialist Recovery Tool
 During this stage a Peer Specialist can use their
own experience and resources to help someone
find all of the support they need to make changes
in their life.
ACTIONS FOR CHANGE
 There are times in a person’s life when they
have MOVED BEYOND the disabling
power of a diagnosis or mental illness.
 Danger: The danger at this stage is that a
person will begin to doubt their own ability
to function on their own. They will not
trust their own decision making process and
revert back to life lived within the system.
The Role of the Peer Specialist
 It is the Role of the Peer Specialist to help a person
trust their own decision making ability and take
responsibility.
Peer Specialist Recovery Tool
 During this stage, a Peer Specialist can teach
someone the Problem Solving Tool commonly
referred to as PICBA. This tool gives someone
the skills they need to face any problem and make
good decisions.
Impact of
Illness
Actions for
Change
Commitment
to Change
Life is
Limited
Change is
Possible
 Additional
Peer Specialist Basic Trainings and
Supervisor trainings are being planned.
 Additionally, there are plans for a more cohesive
network to be formed with regular conference calls
of the trained individuals to provide ongoing
support and consultation. Continuing education
trainings are being planned to enhance Peer
Specialist skills on trauma-informed care, ethics,
employment and wellness.
 For more information go to the Peer Specialist
Website at:
www.peerspecialist.org