Catholic Charities Diocese of Green Bay implemented Peer Support Services (PSS) to address a critical community need and ongoing shortage of mental health providers, based on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) model. Peer Support Specialists use their lived experience to help individuals navigate recovery and access needed resources. Services include one-on-one mentoring, virtual support, group facilitation, advocacy, and assistance navigating systems of care. By bridging the gap between clinical treatment and community-based recovery, PSS provides hope, empowerment, and connection for individuals facing mental health and substance use challenges. This initiative expands access to support, strengthens recovery outcomes, and helps meet the growing demand for behavioral health services in the communities we serve.
Challenge or Need
We designed our Peer Support Services program to address the growing demand for mental health and recovery support across our communities. While Catholic Charities offers traditional mental health counseling services, the need for support significantly exceeds the capacity of available providers. We also do not provide specific addiction services. The shortage of mental health and addiction services is prevalent in rural areas throughout our diocese, where individuals often face long wait times, transportation barriers, and limited access to resources. In addition to the shortage of licensed mental health professionals, many individuals seeking support may benefit from connecting with someone who has lived experience navigating mental health or substance use recovery. We recognized the need for services that provide ongoing encouragement, practical guidance, and connection outside of traditional clinical settings and the importance of addressing mental health and addiction recovery through a continuum of care.
To address these gaps, we launched Peer Support Services, which are provided by a certified peer support specialist and recovery coach. The peer support specialist provides mentorship, advocacy, recovery support, and assistance navigating systems of care to help peers with their mental health and addiction recovery goals. By complementing existing counseling services, the program increases access to support, reduces barriers to recovery, and helps individuals build hope, resilience, and meaningful connections within their communities.
Why It’s Innovative
Peer Support Services offers an innovative approach to addressing mental health and recovery needs by providing support beyond traditional clinical services. Peer Support Specialists and Recovery Coaches use their own lived experience with mental health challenges and/or substance use recovery to assist individuals facing similar circumstances. This shared experience fosters trust, understanding, and meaningful connections that can improve engagement and recovery outcomes.
Peer Support Specialists bridge the gap between clinical treatment and community-based recovery by offering mentorship, advocacy, resource navigation, and ongoing encouragement. Their role complements that of therapists and case managers by providing practical support and guidance as individuals work toward their mental health and recovery goals. A key component of peer support is instilling hope. By sharing their personal recovery journey, Peer Support Specialists demonstrate that healing, growth, and long-term recovery are possible, empowering individuals to build resilience, confidence, and a stronger sense of belonging within their communities.
Program Impact
Peer Support Services has proven an effective entry point for individuals who may be hesitant to seek traditional counseling but are seeking support for mental health or substance use recovery. The shared lived experience of Peer Support Specialists helps build trust and engagement, creating a safe environment for individuals to explore their goals and challenges. As relationships develop, many clients have become more willing to participate in additional Catholic Charities programs, including family resource coordination and mental health counseling. This holistic approach expands access to care and helps individuals achieve more sustainable recovery and wellness outcomes.
Lessons Learned
When implementing a new service, it is essential to remain flexible and allow the program to evolve in response to community needs and lessons learned. Ongoing education, communication, and intentional collaboration are critical to ensuring that staff understand the role and value of Peer Support Services and can effectively connect individuals to the program.
Because Peer Support Services is relatively new within our diocese, community education is equally important. Consistent outreach and relationship-building efforts help increase awareness, foster trust, and strengthen partnerships with providers, both within Catholic Charities and throughout the broader community.
Effective supervision is also vital to the success of Peer Support Specialists. Leaders should dedicate regular time for guidance, support, and professional development, including participation in peer support-specific training. This investment not only enhances service quality but also supports the well-being and ongoing recovery journey of the specialists themselves, enabling them to continue serving others effectively and authentically.