NAMI’s Peer to Peer and Jail Diversion Programs: A Community Resource Adam R. O’Connor, CRPS-A Tri-County Human Services July 12, 2011

Personal History with NAMI and our Polk County Mental Health Court (now Behavioral Health Court) Became a member of NAMI in 2005 Became a Peer to Peer Mentor in 2005 Became a State Trainer in 2007 Have taught over a dozen Peer to Peer courses and State Trainings and helped to launch the First Peer to Peer for Mental Health Court Offers assistance to the court if needed.

What is Peer to Peer? It is currently a 10-week Recovery and Relapse Prevention course taught by mentors who have the lived experience of living with mental illness.

Subjects covered in NAMI’s Peer to Peer Consumer stages of Recovery Stigma Mindfulness Brain Biology Challenges and benefits of medication Storytelling Illness Specific Information Relapse Prevention Substance usage Emotions Physical/Mental Health

Subjects continued Spirituality 12 Step Programs Suicide Awareness and Prevention Isolation Disclosure of Diagnosis Surviving a hospitalization Mental Health Advance Directives Hot buttons and Triggers Working with providers Incarceration Empowerment and Advocacy

Partners at the Table (Staffing Participants) Judge Pre-Trial Services Family Support Services Trial Clerk Polk Co. Community Services Mental Health Providers Substance Abuse Providers NAMI Probation DCF (if needed) Veterans Services Expert (if needed) Peer Specialists Case Managers

Peer to Peer and the Court Participants and strongly encouraged but not forced into taking the course. Peer to Peer participants are usually moved to the top of the docket In just over 3 years, there have been: 5 Peer to Peer classes, with a total of 27 Peer to Peer graduates, with only 6 Peer to Peer graduates having acquired new charges. The closing mindfulness exercise and graduation ceremony is celebrated by the participants, mentors and staffing participants.

My story with Peer to Peer Since I became a mentor and a state trainer, I have taught over a dozen classes and state trainings. In 2009, I helped contribute ideas for the 3 rd edition of the Peer to Peer course. I learn something new about recovery at each class or training.

Success Story (May 9, 2011, Lakeland Ledger) Addicted to crack cocaine at 19, L. felt that she could never break free of the cycle of incarcerations, drug usage and loss of control in life. Her April 20, 2011 graduation from Mental Health Court program marked also her 1 year of sobriety from illegal drugs.

Success story continued She credits substance abuse treatment, intensive case management and Peer to Peer as keys to her success. She now wants to serve as a message of hope to others who struggle just as she had once did.

Conclusion In my opinion, NAMI’s Peer to Peer and Mental Health Courts is a great combination. Finding effective ways of reaching out to more court participants will likely increase the success rate and lower recidivism.