Peer support specialists are transforming the landscape of crisis care. Their unique ability to build trust, offer hope, and provide authentic connection creates a foundation for healing that complements clinical interventions. Drawing from their own lived experience with mental health challenges, peer specialists bring a perspective that resonates differently than traditional clinical approaches.

This presentation will explore how peers create connections that heal, examine the evolving role of peers across the crisis continuum, and share the measurable outcomes that demonstrate the power of peer-delivered support in acute crisis settings. Attendees will gain practical insights into implementing peer support programs and understand the evidence base supporting this transformative approach to crisis intervention. Participants will leave with actionable strategies for building or enhancing peer support programs within their own organizations.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Understand the power of peer support: Explore the benefits of peer connections in recovery and the unique value peers bring to crisis intervention
2. Learn how to build and strengthen your peer support network: learn practical strategies for finding peer support opportunities and integrating peers into existing crisis systems
3. Highlight outcomes: review data-driven outcomes achieved through a peer-integrated crisis system