MEDIA CONTACT
Alycia Davis, (531) 249-8079,
alycia.davis@nebraska.gov
Lincoln, NE – In a proclamation signing ceremony earlier this month, Governor Jim Pillen signed a proclamation recognizing October 19 as Peer Support Celebration Day which is a day for Nebraskans to reflect on and celebrate the important role that Peer Support Professionals play in helping peers who are struggling with mental health, substance use, and/or trauma-related challenges to move along the continuum of recovery. In addition, it raises awareness for the peer support profession, the services they provide, and how they impact the lives of those they serve.
“Peer support specialists are individuals, parents, or primary caregivers who complete specialized training and become certified to use lived experience with mental illness, substance use, and/or trauma-related challenges to support their fellow Nebraskans on their journey of recovery," said Tony Green, Interim Director of the Division of Behavioral Health. “They provide support to those undertaking their own recovery journeys by using their first-hand knowledge, unique perspective, and training to give a sense of hope and guide their peers to live a happy and healthy life."
This type of social support results in psychological and physical health benefits for both the receiver and provider. Peer support relies on a reciprocal relationship that fosters understanding and trust between peer supporters and their peers and among populations who otherwise have limited access to mental health and/or substance use disorder services. It complements and enhances other behavioral health services by creating the emotional and social support and practical assistance necessary for persons with mental health, substance use, and or trauma-related challenges to stay healthy.
Some benefits of peer support services may include:
- Improves quality of life and self-efficacy.
- Improves engagement and satisfaction with services and supports.
- Improves self-reported mental and physical health status and self-care skills.
- Improves whole health, including chronic conditions like diabetes.
- Decreases the number of emergency room visits, number of hospitalizations, and the number of inpatient hospital days.
- Reduces the overall cost of mental health and substance use disorder services.
- Reduces mental health symptoms while increasing knowledge of mental health and substance use disorders and available resources, trauma-related challenges, and chronic illness and diseases.
According to Mental Health America and Peers for Progress, peer support is a “critical and effective strategy" for ongoing physical, mental, and substance use disorder healthcare, and a proven approach for sustained behavior change for persons with these disorders, and for people with chronic diseases and other conditions. Furthermore, the benefits of peer support extend beyond individuals with these challenges by creating positive change in culture, increasing awareness, and reducing stigma in neighborhoods, communities, organizations, systems, social groups, and other public gatherings.
To date, the state of Nebraska currently has 160 Certified Peer Support Specialists (CPSSs). CPSSs are initially required to complete a 60-hour Peer Support Core Curriculum training approved by the Division of Behavioral Health, Office of Consumer Affairs, and to pass the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC) peer recovery exam. They are also required to complete 20 continuing education hours every two years to recertify by September 1 of odd-numbered years.
Nebraska is actively working to grow the peer support workforce to help the recovery of individuals with mental health and substance use disorders in all communities. The Office of Consumer Affairs in the Division of Behavioral Health at DHHS sponsors a minimum of four CPSS Core Curriculum trainings a year being offered once per quarter to aid in workforce growth and development. They also partner with the University of Nebraska Lincoln Public Policy Center to coordinate and promote trainings for Peer Support Specialists to earn continuing education hours and to provide continued educational opportunities to continue to grow their knowledge and skills for the services they provide.
For more information on becoming a Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) in the state of Nebraska, please visit the Office of Consumer Affairs website at https://dhhs.ne.gov/CPPSGuidance.
Need to talk or get immediate help in a crisis? Help is available. If you or a loved one need assistance, please reach out to:
- The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline; call, text, or chat 988
- Your faith-based leader, healthcare professional, or student health center on campus.
- Nebraska Family Helpline – Any question, any time. (888) 866-8660
- Rural Response Hotline, (800) 464-0258
- Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 (oprime dos para Español) or text TalkWithUs to 66746.
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 or text LOVEIS to 22522
- National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-4AChild (1-800-422-4453) or text 1-800-422-4453
- National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)