(October 13, 2023) By Susanna C. Mahoney-Vogt

The Global Peer Supporter Celebration Day (GPSCD) is a day that should be highlighted and honored as a day is to celebrate the champions who willingly dedicate themselves to engage, support and be role models for unique populations. Without these champions many people with a diagnosis of a mental health or substance use disorder would encounter greater hardships and many would even be lost. They would not have the kind of support that would help them to be able to face their fears and escape the stigma of their diagnosis.

When a person is labeled with (and sometimes as) a mental health and/or substance use disorder, they may become invisible or only seen as useless, a burden on to society. When this happens people may live in loneliness and hopelessness. Or, tragically, they may choose instead to end their lives.

Peer supporters have lived experience of the depths of loneliness and hopelessness that comes with mental health or substance use conditions. They also know the transforming power of recovery.

GPSCD is a day to celebrate the peer supporters who have reached out to let lonely and hopeless people know that having a mental health or substance use condition is not the end of life but instead the beginning of a new life, a life in recovery.

GPSCD is a day to honor the peers supporters who have stepped up to find the lost, committed to reach and engage this silent community of consumers trapped in the web of hopelessness, stigma and stereotypes.

GPSCD is a day of recognition for the peer supporters who utilize their lived experiences and victories to become willing teachers and mentors, to support the lost be found. To show by example that challenges don’t need to defeat them but can instead become the beginning of positive victories as people are accepted for who they are. With peer support, people are more willing and able to believe they can change and heal. People can see how their strengths can help them to become a stronger person. With the support of peers, they are able to accomplish more with each victory than they ever thought possible without peer support.

GPSCD is a day for the peer supporters themselves, those people who broke the barriers of stigma and stereotypes to overcome their difficulties. Those who found their own self-worth to become a successful person living a fulfilling lifestyle, in whatever way they may define success and fulfilment. It is for those who have experienced healing and the hope that life is worth living who are now willing to go out and share that hope with others.

These are some of the many reasons why GPSCD is celebrated. Without peer supporters, life remains empty and hopeless for many talented individuals whose gifts beyond measure could be lost.

Thank you to all of the peer supporters around the globe. You are true champions. We celebrate you. And the National Association of Peer Supporters (N.A.P.S.) hosts this event to bring the truth to the light.

Mental health and substance use disorders are not hopeless and they are not the end. With the right people and tools in position lives can be saved.

For those in crisis, call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. A counselor is available to assist you to listen and provide assistance. You can also ask for a peer support “warm line” or a peer supporter to provide additional assistance.

Help spread the word about the benefits of peer support. As more people find hope and healing by working with peer supporters, more opportunities will arise for people to become peer supporters themselves, and our workforce will continue to grow!

And if you haven’t already become a member, join the National Association of Peer Supporters (N.A.P.S.) to stay tuned to what’s new in the peer support workforce. Here’s the link to join the new Peer Specialist Advancement and Mentoring Network in New York State: https://www.peersupportworks.org/ny/