Cascadia’s Peer Wellness Program serves consumers interested in becoming Peer Wellness Specialists (PWS) and consumers in need of support from a PWS.

The program addresses social determinants of health by employing certified Peer Wellness Specialists (PWS) to work with consumers to address lifestyle and risk factors in advance of individuals reaching a crisis stage. By training persons who have lived through mental health challenges and learned to cultivate their own wellness, they in turn support their peers in making healthy lifestyle choices.

Program success will be demonstrated by: increased wellness activity; increased satisfaction and quality of life among consumers; increased peer/consumer use of preventative health services; decreased use of high intensity health services; and increased overall health literacy in peer/consumer community, especially regarding preventative services and self-management of chronic conditions.

Becoming a Peer Wellness Specialist
Interested consumers enter an extensive training program (available slots fill quickly) to teach them the skills they need to help others. Graduates (Peer Wellness Specialists) commit to a minimum of 2-3 hours per week, up to a maximum of 40 hours per week, supporting peers in their recovery. Persons qualify by self-identifying that they have received or receive psychiatric services and by completing the formal application process.

Ideal candidates have an experiential, personal understanding of mental health recovery and a desire to help others, as well as a commitment to their own wellness and self-care.

To become a PWS, interested consumers should contact Meghan Caughey at meghan.caughey@cascadiabhc.org.

Receiving Support from a Peer Wellness Specialist
To receive support from a PWS, interested Cascadia consumers should discuss it with a case manager.

Getting more information
Send a message to Meghan Caughey at meghan.caughey@cascadiabhc.org