Peer support is built around the principles of self-determination and empowerment. When a system of care becomes too prescriptive or negates an individual’s right to self-determination it can create a chasm between the person and the system. At its best, some subset of people experiencing mental health problems will find their way through such a system and will eventually become empowered to participate fully in their own treatment. At its worst, people are traumatized and alienated by the very system they might wish to trust during a crisis. When trust is lost, many people withdraw from services and do not participate even when services are forced upon them. Peer support addresses this inequity on many levels. Because of their own experiences, peer support workers understand the importance of trust and participating in one’s own care. They offer honesty and transparency to individuals who are otherwise reluctant to engage. They are listeners, advocates, navigators and mentors. This webinar will discuss peer support approaches for engaging individuals who have lost trust in, or are fearful of, the formal system of care, and methods for building self-management skills. 

Format

Recorded webinar, non-interactive, self-paced distance learning activity with post-test.

This presentation was recorded on August 19, 2021.

Learning Objectives

• Identify potential obstacles to building trust between individuals in need of assistance and the formal system of care.  
• Discuss ways in which peer support can address lack of trust, and help to build therapeutic relationships.  
• Compare the benefits of individuals participating in their own treatment through self-management to the consequences of providing services that are not agreed to by the individual. 

Target Audience

Counselor, Nurse/Nurse Practitioner, Peer Specialist/Peer Support, Physician (Non-psychiatrist), Physician Assistant, Psychiatrist, Psychologist 

Instructional Level

Introductory, Intermediate 

Estimate Time to Complete

Estimated Duration: 1.0 hour
Program Start Date: August 24, 2021 
Program End Date: August 24, 2024

Ongoing Interdisciplinary Discussion Board

After completing the course, engage with colleagues in the mental health field through SMI Adviser's Webinar Roundtable Topics discussion board. This is an easy way to network and share ideas with other clinicians who participate in this webinar. Access through the discussion tab.

How to Earn Credit

Participants who wish to earn AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™, CE credit for psychologists, or a certificate of participation may do so by viewing the live presentation and completing the evaluation. Participants claiming CE credit for psychologists must have full attendance to claim credit. After evaluating the program, course participants will be provided with an opportunity to claim hours of participation and print an official CME certificate (physicians), CE certificate (psychologists), or certificate of participation (other disciplines) showing the event date and hours earned. 

Continuing Education Credit

Physicians

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The APA designates this live event for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. 

Psychologists

The American Psychiatric Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. American Psychiatric Association maintains responsibility for this program and its content.  

Faculty and Planner Disclosures

Instructor

• Patrick Hendry is Vice President of Peer Advocacy, Supports and Services for Mental Health America. He has worked as an advocate and initiator of peer-run services for 27 years in a variety of leadership roles. Mr. Hendry reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.   

Planners

• Teri Brister, PhD, LPC, National Alliance on Mental Illness. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Amy N. Cohen, PhD, American Psychiatric Association. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Tristan Gorrindo, MD, American Psychiatric Association. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.

Accessibility for Participants with Disabilities

The American Psychiatric Association is committed to ensuring accessibility of its website to people with disabilities. If you have trouble accessing any of APA’s online resources, please contact us at 202-559-3900 for assistance.

Technical Requirements

This internet-based CME activity is best experienced using any of the following:

• The latest and 2nd latest public versions of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Safari
• Internet Explorer 11+

This website requires that JavaScript and session cookies be enabled. Certain activities may require additional software to view multimedia, presentation, or printable versions of the content. These activities will be marked as such and will provide links to the required software. That software may be:  Adobe Acrobat Reader, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Windows Media Player.

Optimal System Configuration:

• Browser: Google Chrome (latest and 2nd latest version), Safari (latest and 2nd latest version), Internet Explorer 11.0+, Firefox (latest and 2nd latest version), or Microsoft Edge (latest and 2nd latest version)
• Operating System: Windows versions 8.1+, Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) +, Android (latest and 2nd latest version), or iOS/iPad OS (latest and 2nd latest version)
• Internet Connection: 1 Mbps or higher

Minimum Requirements:

• Windows PC: Windows 8.1 or higher; 1 GB (for 32-bit)/2 GB (for 64-bit) or higher RAM; Microsoft DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver; audio playback with speakers for programs with video content
• Macintosh: Mac OS X 10.5 or higher with latest updates installed; Intel, PowerPC G5, or PowerPC G4 (867MHz or faster) processor; 512 MB or higher RAM; audio playback with speakers for programs with video content

For assistance: Contact educme@psych.org for questions about this activity | Contact SMIadviserhelp@psych.org for technical assistance