Peer Support Specialists

What is a Peer Support Specialist and what do They Do?

Certified Peer Support Specialists are members of teams that help individuals with mental health challenges. They have their own experience of mental health challenges and that forms the basis of their work. Certified Peer Support Specialists are highly valued by the individuals they serve and by their teammates. They are known for their abilities to connect and empathize, for their talents with de-escalating crisis situations, for their intimate knowledge of recovery pathways, and for being a positive example.

Certified Peer Support Specialists work in a wide range of settings which include:

· Community mental health centers and outpatient behavioral health clinics

· Community health centers and primary care provider offices

· Mobile crisis teams with visits to homes, schools, and other community settings

· Crisis support call centers and behavioral health urgent care

· Hospitals / inpatient mental health programs

· Partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs

· Peer support agencies

· Supportive housing providers

· Volunteer organizations

Certified Peer Support Specialists are valued members of their teams and work alongside team members

· To respond to individuals’ needs and support their self-care, wellness, and recovery

· To help individuals navigate challenges and set goals

· To prepare individuals for upcoming appointments and advocate for them in a manner that promotes recovery and resilience

· To help lead individual and group meetings drawing upon personal lived experience and empathy to connect with individuals and their current situations

· To support individuals and their loved ones during mental health crises and stabilization

· To meet with individuals frequently to support their recovery and resilience

· To help individuals identify and access community services and supports

· To help individuals remain in the community and avoid unnecessary hospitalizations and negative interactions with law enforcement

Video Introduction to the Peer Support Specialist Role from Riverbend

Riverbend Community Mental Health Center put together a video introduction to their Peer Support Specialist roles that is really helpful when considering this path. Thank you to our friends at Riverbend and the video may be found at this link and by clicking on ‘Peer Support Specialist.’ https://www.riverbendcmhc.org/careers-working-at-riverbend/

How can I train and earn certification?

Most training for Peer Support Specialists occurs on the job, often while receiving pay and benefits. Employers are most interested in the personal experience with mental health challenges that Peer Support Specialists bring to the role. A High School Diploma or equivalent is usually required. A degree from a college is desired and often included in job descriptions but may be waived to remove barriers to employment. Most Peer Support Specialists secure a job, complete their training as part of their employment, and earn their Peer Support Specialist Certification in their first year of work.

Prerequisite - High School Diploma or Equivalency

For those that need to complete the high school equivalency prerequisite please see:

NH High School Equivalency (HiSET) (formerly called GED): https://www.education.nh.gov/who-we-are/division-of-learner-support/bureau-of-adult-education/nh-high-school-equivalency

Training for Certification

On-the-job training is supported by many employers and the NH Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Mental Health Services. Certification requirements are summarized below:

--Introduction to Peer Support: This introductory course covers the SAMHSA core competencies for Peer Support Specialists through an online elearning course offered by several NH Community Colleges. (Currently supported by Lakes Region Community College, River Valley Community College, and White Mountain Community College.) The course is subsidized by NH DHHS and free to attendees. The course is accompanied by a Community of Practice which meets virtually each week for discussion of the course content and to apply learning to real world situations. Students who successfully complete all course modules (with built in assessments) and Community of Practice sessions are eligible for a formal Certification from the State of NH and the title ‘Certified Peer Support Specialist!’

Where can I find my next job?

The following organizations currently employ Certified Peer Support Specialists in NH and each provides a role description for their open positions through their website. (Note to employers, please contact us to add your organization and contact information to this listing.

Roles with Community Mental Health Centers

Community Mental Health Centers support the behavioral health needs of individuals in crisis as well as adults with severe mental illness, children & adolescents with serious emotional disturbance, and individuals with substance misuse challenges. There are 10 Community Mental Health Centers across NH and all of them include Certified Peer Support Specialists on their teams. Links to the 10 Centers and their Job Posting sites are provided below.

Our friends at the NH Behavioral Health Association provide more information on the services that all Community Mental Health Centers provide: https://nhcbha.org

--Center for Life Management (Derry, Hampstead, Salem): https://www.centerforlifemanagement.org/careers

--Community Partners (Dover, Rochester): https://communitypartnersnh.org/careers/

--Greater Nashua Mental Health Center (Nashua): https://gnmhc.org/careers/

--Lakes Region Mental Health Center (Laconia, Plymouth): https://www.lrmhc.org/careers/

--Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester (Manchester): https://www.mhcgm.org/jobs-internships/

--Monadnock Family Services (Keene, Peterborough, Jaffrey, Winchester): https://www.mfs.org/careers/

--Northern Human Services (Berlin, Colebrook, Conway, Groveton, Littleton, Tamworth, Whitefield, Wolfeboro, Woodsville): https://northernhs.org/employment/

--Riverbend Community Mental Health (Concord): https://www.riverbendcmhc.org/careers-working-at-riverbend/

--Seacoast Mental Health Center (Exeter, Portsmouth): https://smhc-nh.org/careers/

--West Central Behavioral Health (Lebanon, Claremont): https://www.wcbh.org/careers-2/

Roles with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) NH

In their own words, “NAMI New Hampshire is a grassroots organization working to improve the quality of life for all by providing support, education and advocacy for people affected by mental illness and suicide. Comprised of a network of affiliate chapters and support groups, staff and volunteers, NAMI NH provides information, education and support to all families and communities affected by mental illness and suicide. Through our support and education networks, NAMI NH provides opportunities for people, in a safe and comfortable setting, to share each other’s pain and promote hope. Together we are working hard to build a better tomorrow for our loved ones and for ourselves.”

--NAMI NH (Multiple Locations in NH): Website: https://www.naminh.org/employment/

Roles with Peer Support Agencies

Peer Support Agencies support the behavioral health needs of individuals through a peer-driven model. There are many Peer Support Agencies across the state and all of them include Certified Peer Support Specialists on their teams. Links to the Centers and their contact details are provided below. Our friends at the NH Department of Health and Human Services provide more information on the services that the Peers Support Agencies offer along with videos about the programs here: https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/programs-services/health-care/mental-health/peer-support-agencies

--The Alternative Life Center (Conway): Tel: (603) 575-5419 E-Mail: alcjodicollins@gmail.com

Connections Peer Support Center (Portsmouth): Tel: (603) 427-6966 Website: www.connectionspeersupport.org Email: info@connectionspeersupport.org

--The Haven (Colebrook): Tel: (603) 215-6404 E-Mail: colebrookhaven@gmail.com

HEARTS Peer Support Center of Greater Nashua (Nashua): Tel: (603) 882-8400 Website: http://www.heartspsa.org/

--Infinity Peer Support (Rochester): Tel: (603) 948-1043 Website: www.infinitypeersupport.org Email: info@infinitypeersupport.org

--Lakes Region Consumer Advisory Board “Concord Peer Support Site” (Concord): Tel: (603) 224-0894 Website: https://www.lakesregionconsumeradvisoryboard.info/ E-Mail: ccornerbridge@comcast.net

--Lakes Region Consumer Advisory Board “CornerBridge” (Laconia):Tel: (603) 528-7742 Website: https://www.lakesregionconsumeradvisoryboard.info/cornerbridge https://www.lakesregionconsumeradvisoryboard.info/cornerbridgehttps://www.lakesregionconsumeradvisoryboard.info/cornerbridgeEmail: cornerbridge@comcast.net

--Littleton Peer Support (Littleton): Tel: (603) 575-5419

--Monadnock Peer Support Agency (Keene): Tel: (603) 352-5093 Website: www.monadnockpsa.org

--Next Step (Lebanon): Tel: (603) 448-6941

On The Road To Wellness (Derry): Tel: (603) 552-3177 Website: www.otrtw.org E-Mail: Derry@otrtw.org

--On The Road To Wellness (Manchester): Tel: (603) 623-4523 Website: www.otrtw.org E-Mail: manchester@otrtw.org

--On the Road to Wellness - Step-Up Step-Down (Manchester): Tel: (603) 232-6250 Website: www.otrtw.org E-Mail: susd@otrtw.org

--Plymouth Area Pemi Valley Outreach (Plymouth): Tel: (603) 412-7050 Website: https://www.lakesregionconsumeradvisoryboard.info/

--Serenity Steps (Berlin): Tel: (603) 752-8111 E-Mail: serenitystepspsc@gmail.com

--The Stepping Stone (Claremont): Tel: (603) 543-1388 Website: www.steppingstonenextstep.org Email: info@steppingstonenextstep.org

Roles with Hospitals, in Primary Care, and in Partial Hospitalization Programs

Hospitals and Partial Hospitalization programs support individuals in need of intensive support as they work through crises, gain stability, and transition back to their communities. There are many organizations supporting these types of programs and some are engaging Peer Support Specialists on their teams. (Note, we hope to add to this list as we become aware of other organizations supporting Peer Support roles).

--New Hampshire Hospital (Inpatient Hospital, Concord): https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/about-dhhs/locations-facilities/new-hampshire-hospitalor email NHHRecruiting@dhhs.nh.govor call 603-271-5855

--Glencliff Home (Glencliff): Phone: 603-989-3111, ext. 1504 Website: https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/about-dhhs/locations-facilities/glencliff-home

--Hampstead Hospital (Inpatient Hospital, Hampstead): https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/about-dhhs/locations-facilities/hampstead-hospitaland https://wellpath.dejobs.org/hampstead/new-hampshire/usa/jobs/

--Dartmouth Health (Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Primary Care, Lebanon, Keene, Nashua, Manchester, Concord): https://careers.dartmouth-hitchcock.org/

General Job Search

--General Job Search: Job posting sites such as www.Indeed.com and several others can also be helpful in finding a job using the search term “peer specialist” to locate open positions.

What’s Next on My Career Pathway?

Once established as part of a team, a wide range of professional growth opportunities are open to Certified Peer Support Specialists. Here are some career advancement pathways that will help you evolve and grow in your own personal journey:

Explore different settings:

Healthcare workers of all types usually gravitate over time toward settings that are best matched to their skills, interests, passion, and life situation. There are growth roles in peer support agencies, community mental health centers, primary care offices, hospitals, mobile crisis teams, supportive housing, volunteer organizations, and many others to be considered. One way to explore a new setting is to find a colleague in a role you find interesting and conduct an informational interview.

Explore other roles on the Behavioral Health Team and beyond:

Certified Peer Support Specialists work with all members of the behavioral health team and have a first-hand opportunity every day to see other roles in action. Each role has its own pathway, prerequisites, education, training, certification, and compensation levels to consider.

Shore up academic credentials for current role and for the long career arc:

While Certified Peer Support Specialist roles rely upon lived experience as the primary job asset, there are many additional skills and credentials to explore through New Hampshire’s wealth of colleges and universities. Certificate, Associates, and Bachelors degree programs in social work, rehabilitation, psychology, education, and other human services fields can further prepare you for your current and future roles and help with overall career advancement. See the other career pathways on this website for the academic credentials and programs that open up additional career advancement pathways.

Certified Peer Support Specialists - Career Pathways