The Competencies of Telehealth Peer Support: Perceptions of Peer Support Specialists and Supervisors During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

This report assesses the competencies and technology needed for the provision of Telehealth Peer Support by Peer Support Specialists . The online survey assessed access to technology, core competencies required for the delivery of ThPS, and resources needed by the workforce to deliver ThPS. Responses from 313 PSS and 164 managers/supervisors of PSS from New York State were analyzed.

Perceptions of Supervisors of Peer Support Workers (PSW) in Behavioral Health: Results from a National Survey.

This content analysis of open-ended survey responses compares and contrasts perceptions on supervision from supervisors with experience providing direct peer support services (PS) and supervisors without experience providing direct peer support services (NPS).A 16-item online survey was distributed via the National Association of Peer Supporters (N.A.

Caregivers of People With Disabilities: A Program to Enhance Wellness Self-Care.

Caregivers are a source of support for family members with disabilities. However, caregivers are at risk for caregiver burden, which can erode self-care skills and lead to poor physical and mental health outcomes. Caregiver Wellness Self-Care, developed to address that risk, is a 5-week group program in which participants learn about strategies that cultivate their inner resources, while connecting with others for support.

Nudges to Support Health and Wellness for Individuals Served by Behavioral Health Programs.

Individuals served by behavioral health programs experience risk factors that threaten health and longevity. Health behavior changes may be supported through environmental modifications known as nudges. The current review (a) examines the potential value of nudges for helping individuals receiving services from behavioral health programs, and (b) offers physical and social environment strategies to support positive health behaviors.

Tools for Moving On: Adapting an Evidence-Based Housing Curriculum for Individuals Receiving Services in an Inpatient Psychiatric Setting to Prepare for Community Living.

Individuals with serious mental illness transitioning from state psychiatric hospitals to community living need specialized skills to enter community housing programs. There are few examples of best practice hospital group programs to improve community living skills. To address this gap, the authors developed a community skills training and discharge readiness program, Tools for Moving On (TFMO), adapted from materials from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Permanent Supportive Housing: Tools for Tenants toolkit.

Evaluation of an online learning academy of peer specialists.

Objective: This report describes the instructional design and development process, learner feedback, and factors associated with course completion in the Academy of Peer Services (APS), an online educational platform for partial fulfillment of peer specialist state certification.

Method: From January 2014 to August 2017, 4,064 individuals in the APS completed online courses and provided demographic information and course evaluation feedback. This report analyzed the relationship between demographic data (work role, experience with online training, level of education) and posttest performance.

Can you hear me now? Teaching listening skills.

Topic: This column provides an overview of methods for training to improve service provider active listening and reflective responding skills.

Purpose: Basic skills in active listening and reflective responding allow service providers to gather information about and explore the needs, desires, concerns, and preference of people using their services-activities that are of critical importance if services are to be truly person-centered and person-driven.

Sources Used: Sources include the personal experience of the authors as well as published literature on the value of basic counseling skills and best practices in training on listening and other related soft skills.

Strategies to Promote Walking Among Community-Dwelling Individuals With Major Mental Disorders.

Individuals with major mental disorders could benefit from low cost, functional ways to support healthy lifestyles. Walking is a popular, preferred, accessible, and safe physical activity for many people. Walking is free, requiring no specialized equipment or membership fee, and is important to support engagement in other daily living activities.

Wellness coaching: a new role for peers.

Topic: This brief report presents the conceptual framework for the development of the peer wellness coach role including the definition of a new job role for peer providers and an overview of the knowledge and skills required for this role.

Purpose: People with serious mental illnesses are at greater risk of living with untreated chronic medical conditions that severely impact their quality of life and result in premature mortality. Wellness coaching represents an intervention that can help individuals persist in the pursuit of individually chosen health and wellness goals.

A study of the perceived barriers to the implementation of circles of support.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to identity barriers to implementing the social support intervention, Circle of Support, in supported employment (SE) services for people with psychiatric disabilities.

Method: Semi-structured interviews were administered to SE staff at three month intervals up to one year. Two focus groups were held with service recipients who did not participate in a circle of support.

Reducing stigma by meeting and learning from people with mental illness.

Objective: This study examines the effects of a public education program, developed in large part by consumers of mental health services, on the attitudes of high school students toward people with mental illnesses.

Methods: Four hundred and twenty-six students were provided an informational session delivered by consumers and a faculty member from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ). The content of these sessions included facts about mental illness, characteristic symptoms, recovery strategies, and personal stories told by the consumer presenters.