This workshop addresses the history, nature, and roles of peer support and what we have learned about its evidence and benefits, and how it can be applied to suicide prevention. Following a brief history of the recovery movement, the presenter will describe the nature of mental health peer support; the various roles and mechanisms of peer support; the evidence and benefits of peer support, such as instilling hope and role modeling self-care and recovery; and the lessons learned about peer support that could be applied to Vermont’s efforts around the role of peers in suicide prevention.

Dr. Davidson will be joined by Vermont peer support specialists Peter Espenshade, Livia Davis, Laurie Emerson, and Heather White to share the local perspective.