[In Conversation With Series] The Social Justice Movement of Peer Support
Peer support is recognized as an evidence-based practice for individuals with mental health conditions or challenges and has existed in behavioral health for decades. It has been shown to improve: quality of life; engagement and satisfaction with services and supports; and whole health, including chronic conditions like diabetes. It has also been shown to reduce the overall cost of services and decrease hospitalizations, as well as inpatient days.
Join Mental Health America for our In Conversation With Webinar Series: A Dialogue by Peers for Peers, where we explore topics related to the field of peer support. In our first series, we explore peer support as a social justice movement. You will learn how to:
- Define peer support.
- Understand peer support as a social justice movement.
- Understand the benefits of peer support and how it differs from other treatment options.
This webinar will be recorded and available to the public within one week. We do not offer CEUs but are happy to provide a certificate of attendance upon request.
Meet the Presenters
Patrick Hendry is the Vice President of Peer Advocacy, Supports and Services for Mental Health America (MHA). He has experienced life with a psychiatric diagnosis both personally and as a parent of a child with lived experience. Patrick provides national advocacy and develops new services and training for peers/consumers within the behavioral health system. Throughout his work, he has focused on human rights, peer support and peer-provided services, self-directed care, and social inclusion. Patrick has led MHA’s development of the first advanced level national peer support certification, which maintains the highest standard of skills, education, and training in the nation. He is the recipient of MHA’s Clifford W. Beers Award, SAMHSA’s Voice Award for peer leadership, and The National Council for Behavioral Health’s Inspiring Hope, Reintegration Lifetime Achievement Award. Patrick has worked in behavioral health for 29 years and continues to be passionate about his work and the inclusion of peers/consumers throughout the system.
Kelly Davis is the Associate Vice President of Peer and Youth Advocacy at Mental Health America (MHA), where she works to promote the expansion of peer support throughout health care. She also leads MHA’s young adult leadership initiatives that are focused on highlighting and expanding young adult-led programs that fill gaps in traditional mental health services and supports. In 2019, Kelly was awarded the Disruptive Innovator Award by the National Association of Peer Supporters (NAPS), an award given to a young person making positive change in mental health through positive disruption. She is a certified yoga teacher and holds a certificate in Applied Positive Psychology from The Flourishing Center. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Nonprofit Leadership at the University of Pennsylvania.