The Power of Peer Support

Today at the largest state representation of peer support providers in Pennsylvania, hundreds gathered to discuss the importance of the delivery of peer support as it relates to the recovery model of delivering mental health care.  Breaking down stigma requires more than employing consumers of a mental health services, it demands an investigation into the ability to understand commonality as human beings.  With 1 out of 5 Americans suffering from a disability, millions deserve the necessary attention towards promoting a recovery based society, putting the person first before the diagnosis.  Peer representation of doctors, lawyers, and other traditional high value status positions exist, this debunking of what mental health looks like and elaboration from the conventional labeling of crazy was evident today.  Respecting the diversity of others and fostering an ethical pathway towards progress in our country's healthcare system saves money, resources, and builds cohesion in communities.   Looking at the holistic approach to wellness within the 8 different dimensions of care with a goal orientated, person directed outcome shifts the traditional way of clinical treatment. 

As the field and profession continues to grow now a person can receive counseling by a person with the same experience giving hope to the mental healthcare system.  Mental healthcare should not be processed and operated like a state prison system.  Counselors in outpatient centers are not the equivalency to parole or probation officers. This bureaucratic nightmare has created a financial burden taking away from the Medicaid budget of 450 billion dollars and adding to our national debt crisis.  Lets move towards economic prosperity and empowerment through boasting the GDP, removing the dependency.  A defective system of healthcare hinders our viability, prosperity, and security in the world.  Peer support offers employment based upon having a disability. 

A mindset exists however of creating segregation amongst mental health professionals delineating between clinical and non-clinical, falling back upon educational laurels rather than real world experience.  A competitive and territorial industry, rests upon the market bearing clients.  Interestingly enough, users have show validation of peer support services superior to that of social workers, psychologists, and psychiatrists.   As the delivery of care evolves, a recovery revolution, an enlighten society progresses.

We are on the brink of a movement that has taken on barriers to industry entrance and redefined unconditional acceptance. It was a joy to be in the presence of some many wonderful human beings that offered a wealth of knowledge and experience.  If you would like to learn more please go to www.afewgoodleaders.com and join the mission in changing the delivery of mental health care.

Leaders Borne in Battle

A Few Good Leaders, www.afewgoodleaders.com plans to demonstrate to the world that we are leaders borne in battle prepared and determined to help our fellow Veterans.  The current state of mental health and counseling services are government based, tied to the constraints of bureaucracy, limited to the ability to deliver value to the customer, and consistently failing to adapt to the technology advancements in the delivery of healthcare.  Rather than try to accomplish a vision of changing the Veterans Affairs Healthcare culture into a 21st century organization, I opted to leave and start my own business to accomplish the mission.  Getting the job done, providing the 3 E's of empowerment for Veterans, 1- Empathy, 2- Education, and 3-Employment. 

With a team of experts who have been there and done that, we offer a value un-realized within the delivery of psychosocial counseling.  This is the holistic synergetic model that has been absent from the Veteran space.  As a benefit corporation we will focus on the giving hope, directing positive choices, empowering Veterans, creating a wellness environment of positive feedback, and re-examining purpose and mission orientation for those who need it. 

The healthcare industry is primarily dictated by large organizations with agendas on capturing more and more of the market.  Veterans have been exploited as the largest social science experiment in history.  The feathering of medical professionals own personal finances based on academic laurels, mostly gained as studying Veterans while in a student status, could not be more self-serving.  Large organizations have tied up contracts with federal, state, and local funding due to the licensing and credentialing requirements. 

What they lack is trust and understanding.  We can fill this gap by offering certified peer support specialists to supplement or replace existing treatment.  It is our focus on delivering a well rounded approach to community integration through resume prep, review, mental health counseling, business consultancy, academic preparation, health and wellness, and physical fitness.  Further, we are subject matter experts in legal matters, benefits, and navigation of the vast resource network of non-profits and various institutions.  

Unlike non-profit, we are a for profit company designed to leverage the tax dollars given to Medicaid.  The country has already donated to the cause within the 170 billion dollar VA budget and 450 billion for Medicaid.  We are the competition to the credentialed, the licensed, and the big HMO's.  We have the one thing organizations most likely don't have - war fighting experience!