Commissioner Frank Berry addressed spoke to a crowd of over 600 the 23rd Annual Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network Conference on St. Simon’s Island in August.
The theme of the conference was the “Year of the Peer” and featured workshops on peer support, wellness and recovery. Sessions also included information about going back to school and work. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Peer Mentor Program, GMHCN’s peer mentors talked shared ways that helping others successfully transition from institutional to community life has supported their own recovery and creation of a meaningful life.
During the annual panel discussion with DBHDD leadership, numerous peers expressed gratitude for being able to work as certified peer specialists (CPS), attend peer support services and Double Trouble in Recovery (DTR) groups; and participate in peer supported whole health (PSWH) services. One participant talked about how happy and confident he feels now that he’s eating healthy and exercising every day. Another said she’ll live longer because she’s learned how to talk to health care professionals about high blood pressure and cholesterol. “Thank you. Living my life is happy. This is awesome,” she reflected.
Each year, conferees vote on the GMHCN’s top five priorities, which for 2014-2015 include:
1. Jobs/employment/supported employment
2. Affordable, accessible housing
3. Access to affordable medical, dental, eye care and medication
4. Educational opportunities/supported education/job training
5. Higher wages for peer staff including certified peer specialists
