2011 - 2012 ANNUAL REPORT

Annual Report 2011-2012

Section Title | 1

OUR Mission and Vision PEERS is a consumer-run organization that inspires hope and contributes to the resiliency and well being of mental health consumers through a not-for-profit commitment to compassion and excellence in eliminating mental health disparities.

from the Executive director

Dear Friends, Peers and Colleagues,

As PEERS begins its second decade of service and advocacy within our consumer community, I am filled with gratitude for the dedication and commitment of our staff and Board of Directors, for the support of Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services and the Mental Health Services Act (Proposition 63), our primary funding sources, and for the love the entire community has shown us as we have traveled this road to wellness together. PEERS has much to celebrate, and more to accomplish too! Together, we have achieved great things from expanding our core Wellness Recovery Action Planning program, reaching more people than ever before, to successfully leading Alameda County in eliminating mental health stigma and discrimination through the Alameda County Social Inclusion Campaign. PEERS would not be the organization it has become without you, our dedicated Board, staff, and community supporters! Together, we have made a difference in the lives of people in need in Alameda County, across the state, and even in the global mental health community. Together, the future of PEERS is strong and getting stronger every day! As we grow and change going forward, we can look back with pride of accomplishment, and look forward to a future that sparkles bright with possibility and promise for even broader and deeper impact. I hope that you will continue to support us by committing yourself to our cause and making a personal pledge to take action. With you, PEERS can achieve our goals and live our values of hope, self-determination and empowerment, peer support, and collaboration. Our success is a reflection of YOU consumers, family members, providers and all stakeholders coming together as a community. Thank you for helping us build a strong future for that community by supporting PEERS growth and success together we can do anything! Sincerely,

Khatera Aslami Tamplen, Executive Director, PEERS 2007-2012

From the Executive Director | 3

Our Values Hope: We believe there is hope and that recovery is real and possible for
everyone who experiences mental health challenges.

Social Inclusion: We strive to create a barrier-free community free

from discrimination and stigma, where individuals labeled as mentally ill are included and treated as equals with dignity, compassion, mutual respect, and unconditional high regard where we live, learn, love, work, play, and pray in safety and acceptance. occur. We need to be in control of our own lives and have voluntary choices and options in our community. We define our own life goals and design a unique path toward those goals.

Self-determination: Self-determination is essential for recovery to

Cultural Responsiveness: We value the strengths of our cultural and Empowerment: We take personal responsibility for our own selfdevelopment, self-care, and journey of recovery. Through actively engaging in our wellbeing, we increase our personal strengths.

ethnic communities. We honor their voices, experiences, and leadership.

Personal Responsibility: We take personal responsibility for our own

self-development, self-care, and journey of recovery. Through actively engaging in our wellbeing, we increase our personal strengths.

Strengths-based: We focus on valuing and building on the multiple

capacities, resiliencies, talents, abilities, and uniqueness of individuals. By building on these strengths, we leave the I cant mentality behind and engage in new life roles (e.g., partner, caregiver, friend, student or employee).

Peer Support: We provide mutual support, including the sharing of

experiential knowledge and skills and social learning. We encourage and engage other consumers and family members in recovery and provide each other with a sense of belonging, supportive relationships, valued roles, and community. health providers, and the community as a whole to transform the mental health system to a wellness, recovery, and resiliency model.

Collaboration: We collaborate with consumers, their families, mental

Lived Experience: We know each person is an expert on him- or

herself and we know from our full range of lived experiences what works because WE ARE THE EVIDENCE!

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ALAMEDA COUNTY SOCIAL INCLUSION CAMPAIGN

Stigma is the most formidable obstacle to progress in the arena of mental health. Surgeon Generals Annual Report, 1999

PEERS and Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services are fully committed to the cause of social inclusion with support from the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA, California Proposition 63). In FY 201112, PEERS hosted a series of activities and events as part of the campaign.

SOCIAL INCLUSION MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS WALK

PEERS hosted the inaugural Mental Health and Wellness Walk on Saturday, October 1 at Cesar Chavez Park in Berkeley to increase mental health awareness in the community. The day included a morning walk throughout the park, remarks by prominent community leaders, live entertainment, Enrique Lopez, Jader Tadefa, and
Toshie Narita

resource tables, childrens activities, an arts and crafts center, and stories of hope and recovery from consumers, providers, and Black Men Speak and Purchased family members. Open to all ages and all members of the community, participants in the free, family-friendly event enjoyed dancing by local Carnival parade favorite Karibbean Vibrationz and drumming by world-renowned steel drum percussionist Val Serrant. Unlike traditional social justice awareness walks that solicit donations, the PEERS event raised non-monetary pledges for social inclusion. The Stigma Stops with Me pledge is a personal commitment to help end stigma and discrimination against people with mental health challenges. Visit the PEERS Facebook page to make your own and share with others.
Alameda County Social Inclusion Campaign | 5

Peers Envisioning and Engaging in Recovery Services (PEERS)

LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SPEAK

Lift Every Voice and Speak is a new speakers bureau at PEERS that empowers consumers through shared engagement and development of strengths to tell their personal stories, increasing participants abilities to influence public perceptions of mental health consumers. Ultimately, the objective is to eliminate selfstigma and discrimination through sharing personal experiences, messages of hope, and the triumph of resilience.

Lift Every Voice and Speak members

Brian Hill at Toastmasters meeting

6 | Alameda County Social Inclusion Campaign

TARGET-SPECIFIC STIGMA CHANGE MODEL

AFRICAN AMERICAN AND HOUSING COMMUNITIES

Research has shown that stigma reduction is achieved through Targeted, Local, Credible, Continuous, Contact (TLCs x 3) with people in recovery. Using Dr. Pat Corrigans stigma change model that focuses anti-stigma efforts on specific power groups and discriminatory behaviors, PEERS is working alongside the community to end discrimination and stigma against those with mental health issues in Alameda County. Our current emphasis is on the African American community and housing providers.

BLACK MEN SPEAK

Black Men Speak is a speakers bureau organized from the Pool of Consumer Champions (POCC) in 2009. Now a program of PEERS, Black Men Speaks mission is to inform and enlighten people about issues concerning African American men with mental health and substance abuse challenges. Stories feature challenges of trauma, family issues, and community violence as well as the importance of spirituality in the journey towards wellness and recovery. Black Men Speak members

WELLNESS RECOVERY ACTION PLANNING (WRAP) IN THE COMMUNITY

In an effort to expand PEERS signature program WRAP to more African American consumers and families, two ongoing WRAP sessions were held at faith-based organizations in Berkeley and Newark. The two locations were chosen for the pilot program because of their strong leadership and previous work with mental health consumers.

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Peers Envisioning and Engaging in Recovery Services (PEERS)

I was recently told by my therapist that I was a severe case. I was never asked about where I draw support, hope, or strength. I attended WRAP in my church for the first time and learned more about myself and recovery in two hours than I did in two years of therapy.
Anonymous WRAP group participant

Screen shot from Snapping the Chain

SNAPPING THE CHAIN

As part of the Alameda County Social Inclusion Campaign, PEERS is dedicated to promoting education and ending stigma around mental health in the African American community. Listen to the inspiring stories of community leaders DeWitt Buckingham and Brianna Williams and learn more about this important social issue. www.peersnet.org/videos

DeWitt Buckingham

A BASIC HUMAN NEED

PEERS is also dedicated to educating housing providers and working to end discriminatory practices against consumers. Nearly one quarter of homeless individuals suffer from a severe form of a mental illness. And despite these individuals best efforts to gain housing, many cannot because of discrimination on the part of housing power holders, such as landlords or property managers. Learn more about the link between mental health issues and homelessness and what you can do to help. www.peersnet.org/videos

Screen shot from A Basic Human Need

8 | Target-Specific Stigma Change Model

EMPOWERMENT
DEFYING STIGMA & PROMOTING WELLNESS

REFORMATION: MOVING BEYOND STIGMA

Designed to empower participants in eliminating both internal and external stigma through art, PEERS developed and presented a two-day workshop providing space and materials for participants to create a dialogue about who they truly want to be. In the process, consumers created personalized masks using a variety of visual materials from magazines, drawings, writings, and other artistic tools. The outside of the mask features words and imagery depicting how the participant believes he or she is perceived by society, while the inside features words and imagery reflecting how the consumer sees him- or herself. The

masks were then exhibited in a storefront space on downtown Oaklands Broadway Avenue next to the Paramount Theater for two months. Other exhibition venues have followed.

Yaffa Alters mask

Abu Rahims mask

Christal Byrds mask

Jader Tadefas mask

Empowerment | 9

Peers Envisioning and Engaging in Recovery Services (PEERS)

What a great memory this evening will be for Feliz and me a time to learn, laugh, meet, greet and celebrate our love for each other. Those who were there laughed a lot. There were so many smiles all around the room. If I had not been told it was raining hard on this day, looking the smiles you would have never known that. Feliz and I were so encouraged to be with the PEERS family.
Yaffa Alter, Empowerment Coordinator and leader of poetry workshop

THE WAITING PERIOD

On March 9, PEERS hosted a special fundraiser event featuring Brian Copelands one-man play on depression and a post-show reception with the actor. The Waiting Period is a hard hitting yet comical look at Copelands personal struggle with chronic depression. The show centers on 10 days the mandatory waiting period before he could receive a newly purchased gun with which he planned to take his life. In this work, Copeland uses his unique dramatic talent and hilarious wit to shed light on the often debilitating epidemic known as depression.
The Waiting Period promotional flyer

POETIC EXPRESSIONS WORKSHOP

Sixty-five participants took advantage of a PEERS workshop introducing them to self-expression through poetry. The budding poets learned how to have fun with words, find their voice to create and make life changes, and deepen self-awareness to gain a stronger sense of self and utilize a creative form of self-expression.

Take Heed Too many misconceptions of peoples trials and tribulations. Mental disorder and psychotic behavior... Those hurtful labels send out false information in this here nation. I am not a freak, I am unique. No more judging or name-calling. No more smashing my passions, have some compassion. Not crazy and lazy. I am a human being with every right to plightn-plight Let us unite! Take heed, ignorance is bliss!
Yaffa Alter

10 | Empowerment

SPIRITUALITY & SOCIAL INCLUSION

As part of the Alameda County Social Inclusion Campaigns goal to integrate spirituality with mental health and wellness empowerment, PEERS has launched three new initiatives in spiritual communities.

PRAYER BEAD WORKSHOP

On December 9, 15 mental health consumers came together at PEERS to participate in the first Prayer Bead Workshop. Created and led by Rev. Lujuan Thompson, the workshop intended to stimulate an interest in the use of prayer beads and ones own creativity as a spiritual practice for calming and centering the mind. After starting with a brief history of prayer beads, participants introduced themselves and discussed how they saw spirituality and prayer beads playing a role in their wellness.

mental health distress and what to do when services and spiritual practices oppose one other.

Mental Health 101 Faith Leaders

MINDFULNESS BASED STRESS REDUCTION (MBSR) TRAINING

From Feb. 27Mar. 2, the often-buzzing PEERS office was infused with a mellow energy as 25 participants from the community learned about body scans, sitting and walking meditations, and using yoga as a form of mindful movement. The practices involved focusing on the breath, being conscious of feelings and sensations, and checking in with oneself with nonjudgmental awareness. Participants in the PEERS training were encouraged to teach the practices to others in the community and to follow up with scheduled monthly check-ins following the training.
Spirituality & Social Inclusion | 11

MENTAL HEALTH & SPIRITUALITY 101

On June 30, a diverse group of faith leaders packed a Marriott Courtyard meeting room in Oakland for the Mental Health and Spirituality 101 training. Designed to help faith leaders be more supportive of those with mental health challenges in their congregations, attendees learned about topics such as signs of

Peers Envisioning and Engaging in Recovery Services (PEERS)

SOCIAL INCLUSION MEDIA

The Alameda County Social Inclusion Campaign includes a strong media emphasis to encourage mental health awareness and address issues of stigma and discrimination in the general population.

Media campaign by the numbers

Website 13,715 unique visitors to www.peersnet.org Radio 646 unduplicated visitors to 15 podcasts Video 4,590 views via web; 12 episodes of Mental Health Matters via cable (MHM) Social Media 23,550 YouTube views; 650 Facebook fans, Twitter mentions and retweets

Advertising Campaigns BART, AC Transit, Oakland Magazine, Alameda Magazine, East Bay Express, KPFA, Oakland Business Review Media Features CBS Bay Sunday (X2), 7Live, KPFA with Davey D (X2), Oakland Tribune, Oakland Post, Oakland Business Review

Stigma Stops with Me pledge Jenee Darden creates a podcast for Mental Health and Wellness Radio 12 | Social Inclusion Media

2011 - 2012 ANNUAL REPORT

WaLK

Want to increase your business and build a better community?

iPHONE APP
In an effort to make its media watch volunteer program accessible to a broader audience, PEERS launched its new smartphone media watch application in March. The application is available for iPhone users, allowing individuals to identify both positive and negative media depictions of mental health while browsing online and immediately send those examples to PEERS staff. It also allows individuals to send emails to the authors or creators of media examples, either congratulating a positive or well-balanced depiction or pointing out a negative or unbalanced one. Find and download the iPhone app by searching PEERS Media Watch on iTunes!

for change
Cer tified Welcoming Community

Did you know that one in five Californians is diagnosed with a mental health issue and experiences unfair treatment? Join the community and walk to end mental health stigma and discrimination.

Mental Health and Wellness Walk Saturday, October 1 9am-4pm Cesar Chavez Park, Berkeley (near the Berkeley Marina) FEATURING: KPFA DJ Davey D Live music Dance performances Art exhibition Raffle prizes Giveaways Kids area Hands-on activities Mental health resources ...and more! For more information, visit www.peersnet.org or call (510) 832-7337.
Brought to you by:

Welcoming Communities flyer

TAYi Art of View Gallery & Appreciation Reception

June 22, 2012 from 3-6pm 333 Hegenbeger Road, Suite 250 Oakland, CA 94621 Refreshments will be served. Contact Letty Elenes at lelenes@peersnet.org or (510) 832-7337 x211

& Proposition 63 (Mental Health Services Act)

Sign up and form your team at: http://peerswalk.eventbrite.com.

TRANSITION AGE YOUTH INITIATIVE

TAYi Art of View Reception flyer

ROBERT WHITAKER PODCAST

PEERS Mental Health and Wellness Radio attended the 2012 CASRA Conference to catch up with award-winning journalist and science writer Robert Whitaker. He spoke with host Jenee Darden about the pharmaceutical drug industry, how most studies show short-term medical use results in higher rates of recovery than long-term use, and discusses the growing problem of children being prescribed psychiatric medication. Whitaker is the author of Mad in America and Anatomy of an Epidemic: Magic Bullets, Psychiatric Drugs, and the Astonishing Rise of Mental Illness in America.
Jenee Darden and Robert Whitaker
Social Inclusion Media | 13

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Peers Envisioning and Engaging in Recovery Services (PEERS)

MEDIA WATCH
PEERS Action Alerts are notices placed on the PEERS Web site that alert readers to news items and actions to take when the entertainment and news media report on issues related to mental health.

More than 34 Action Alerts were posted last year including these examples:

New York Times Report

In June 2011, the New York Times published a news piece entitled Expert on Mental Illness Reveals Her Own Fight by Benedict Carey. The story introduces readers to Dr. Marsha Linehan, a psychologist at the University of Washington, Director of the Behavioral Research and Therapy Clinics and developer of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). For the first time to the public, Dr. Linehan shared her own struggles with schizophrenia in an effort to end the stigma of mental illness. As a mental health consumer who managed to overcome her own troubled past and provide support and guidance to others in similar situations, Dr. Linehan models how people with mental health challenges can lead full, happy, productive lives. In profiling Dr. Linehan and highlighting the voices of
14 | Media Watch

prominent and respected consumer-providers, Carey promotes and illustrates the ideas of hope, peer support, and most importantly, recovery. PEERS Action Alert encouraged readers to contact Mr. Carey thanking him for his compassionate reporting on Dr. Linehan and this issue.

Meyers Take Strip in the San Francisco Chronicle

Mental health state budgets are taking huge blows across the country due to the recession. Cuts to statefunded mental health care programs and organizations mean fewer resources for many consumers who need help. In February, Cartoonist Tom Meyer drew a comic about the issue in his Meyers Take strip for the San Francisco Chronicle. But instead of being funny, his cartoon was distasteful and stigmatizing on multiple levels. People with mental health challenges are often stereotyped as dangerous and scary; Meyers

2011 - 2012 ANNUAL REPORT

cartoon reinforces this harmful idea. PEERS Action Alert suggested that readers express their disappointment directly to the cartoonist and editor, encouraging them to be more thoughtful about the stigmatizing effect of their editorial choices in future.

AB 1421 Op-ed in the San Francisco Chronicle

In March, Dan Brzovic wrote an opinion article about AB 1421 for the San Francisco Chronicle expressing opposition to renewing the legislation in Lauras Law is Ineffective. AB 1569 (Allen), or Lauras Law, proposes yet another extension of involuntary outpatient programs established under the 2002 AB 1421. It has been promoting expensive, forced outpatient treatment of people with mental health disabilities on the pretext that they might become dangerous to themselves or others. Along with Brzovic, an attorney for the Oakland office of Disability Rights California, the majority of Californias community mental health treatment organizations, clients, and family members also question the value of this law. PEERS Action Alert gives kudos to the Chronicle for bringing in another side to the debate and thanks Mr. Brzovic for arguing on behalf of mental health consumers rights.

Stop the stereotypes.

60 percent of TV characters with mental illness are portrayed as violent. But in reality, people with mental illness are more likely to be victims rather than perpetrators.
Tell Hollywood to keep it real. Download the free PEERS Media Watch app for iPhones and help end mental health stereotypes in the media. Dont have an iPhone? Participate online at www.peersnet.org.
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Media Watch palm card

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Peers Envisioning and Engaging in Recovery Services (PEERS)

WELLNESS RECOVERY ACTION PLANNING

PEERS core WRAP programs form the basis of our work with Alameda County consumers and the community. From humble beginnings, the range and depth of our WRAP services has expanded to include a wide array of individuals including transition age youth, family members, the African American community, the Spanish speaking community, students on college campuses, spiritual leaders, homeless shelter recipients, and wellness center participants.

WRAP
Wellness Recovery Action Plan, or WRAP, is PEERS signature consumer empowerment program and is now recognized by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) as an evidence-based practice. Creator Mary Ellen Copeland, PhD, first introduced WRAP in 1989 as a means to promote personal, organizational, and community wellness and empowerment through group work proven to maintain wellness on a day-today basis. Since PEERS founding in 2001, we have provided WRAP trainings and services to more than 15,000 participants in Alameda County and introduced WRAP to hundreds of consumers, family members, and mental health providers in FY 2011-12
16 | Wellness Recovery Action Planning

Matthew Federici, BJ North, and Mary Ellen Copeland

alone. WRAP is used worldwide by people who are managing mental or general health challenges and by those who seek high levels of wellness.

2011 - 2012 ANNUAL REPORT

I felt more deeply inspired to maintain and increase my own wellness, as well as support, enhance, and share information with others like me.
Jeanne Mason

and people from a multitude of different cultures. Come share with people from all over the world about wellness and recovery skills, strategies, and stories.

PEERS FIRST WRAP CENTER OF EXCELLENCE

In October 2012 PEERS was recognized by the Copeland Center for Wellness and Recovery as the first International WRAP Center of Excellence. Through the Center of Excellence program, the Copeland Center recognizes and certifies WRAP Centers of Excellence to highlight and promote high quality transformational experiences through Wellness Recovery Action Plan facilitation. The Copeland Center recognizes PEERS as a wellness-oriented organization that has demonstrated programs based on WRAP facilitation, reflects core WRAP values and ethics, and has a robust, sustainable and integrated WRAP initiative.

WRAP for Health Conference

In partnership with Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services, PEERS hosted the inaugural WRAP for Health Conference on May 1, featuring keynote speaker, Mary Ellen Copeland, PhD, author of the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP). The conference, which was held at California State University, East Bay, featured talks from leaders in the mental health field and multiple educational workshops. Participants learned how WRAP can improve health outcomes for individuals in all care settings through the key concepts of recovery.

Looking Ahead. WRAP AROUND THE WORLD CONFERENCE

The Copeland Center for Wellness and Recovery and PEERS will co-host the second international WRAP Around the World Conference on January 25-27, 2013, in Oakland! The conference will bring together people in recovery, peer specialists, providers, family Second International WRAP Around the World Conference members and supporters. Learn more about how organizations and providers can use WRAP to maintain their own wellness and how WRAP works with kids, veterans, healing trauma, people with addictions, transition age youth,
Presents:

The Copeland Center recognizes the excellence and commitment of dedicated facilitators who continue to carry the hope of WRAP across the country and across the world. We also recognize the key role organizational partners have in WRAPs success. To support organizational progress, we have developed the Center of Excellence designation.
 Matthew Federici, Executive Director of the Copeland Center

January 25-27, 2013 | Oakland Marriott City Center Oakland, California, USA

The Wellness Recovery Action Plan, or WRAP, is an evidence-based practice used worldwide by people who are dealing with mental or general health challenges and by those who want to attain the highest possible level of wellness.

Featuring keynotes by:

Mary Ellen Copeland, PhD Author, WRAP

Darrell Steinberg CA Senate President Pro Tem

Robert Whitaker Author, Anatomy of an Epidemic

Additional conference highlights include:

Dozens of workshops given by experienced recovery educators Panel on international perspectives on WRAP Refresher credit available for WRAP Facilitators of all levels Opportunity to write your own WRAP Arts and entertainment to support your wellness

Enjoy a special low rate in the Bay Area of California for only $129 per night!

CEUs available. For more information, visit www.copelandcenter.com or call 1-888-959-2649.

Sponsored by:

Hosted by:

I learned that there now exists a wonderful outlet and opportunity for one who suffers to seek and find the love, help, and support that they need to heal and to express and to learn that they are not alone and that they are valued members of their communities.
Kenneth Kozi Arrington

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WRAP Around the World conference flyer

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Peers Envisioning and Engaging in Recovery Services (PEERS)

TRANSITIONAL AGE YOUTH INITIATIVE (TAYi)

TAYi is a new youth movement created and managed in partnership with ACBHCS TAY System of Care, Pool of Consumer Champions TAY, and PEERS. The TAYi program is a vital component in the delivery and development of mental health services to young people in Alameda County. TAYi participants support one another while promoting leadership and empowerment through community education and involvement, utilizing shared skills and abilities to end stigma and improve the lives of TAY.

TAYi participants range in ages from 16 to 24 years old and self-identify as having lived experience within mental health care, foster care, and/or justice systems. Diverse in race, ethnicity, and spirituality, participants learn from one anothers experiences through events and activities such as TAYi Slam (creative self-expression), TAYi WRAP groups, and the TAYi Annual Celebration.

I love the people over at TAYi because they really care about you, and want you to be able to take full advantage of the service they offer.
E.A.

TAYi members at their Art of View Gallery reception

18 | Transitional Age Youth Initiative

2011 - 2012 ANNUAL REPORT

Val Serrant drumming at the Talent Explosion

Consumer art piece

Leann Simpson, Community Liaison, at the Talent Explosion

TALeNT EXPLOSION!
PEERS has talent and it was on display for all to see at this not-to-be-missed night in June that celebrated creative self-expression as an empowerment tool.

Looking Ahead. Campus Mental Health Project

Following a competitive application process, PEERS was awarded funding to engage in a new initiative geared toward increasing awareness of mental health issues and fighting stigma and discrimination on college campuses. The PEERS TAYi program, California State University East Bay, and the Peralta Community College District are partnering to create programs and campaigns that involve students, counselors, and faculty in understanding and addressing mental health consumer needs through WRAP workshops, trainings, special events, and web-based peer support. The program also aspires to reach student counselors as they enter the mental health workforce so that they can better serve consumers through peer-led initiatives.

Transitional Age Youth Initiative | 19

Peers Envisioning and Engaging in Recovery Services (PEERS)

ENTERTAINMENT & MEDIA PROJECTS

Initiation of the Alameda County Social Inclusion Campaign has resulted in numerous partnerships and new collaborations to engage the media in addressing mental health stigma and discrimination. These activities have helped to extend PEERS impact far beyond Alameda County into the rest of California and beyond.

ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRIES COUNCIL

PEERS has joined a team of communications and community outreach organizations in a three-year program to end mental health stigma and stereotyping in entertainment and news media. Funded by the Mental Health Services Act (Prop. 63) administered by the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) and led by the Entertainment Industries Council, Inc., the effort aims to change public attitudes about people with mental health challenges and encourages individuals who are struggling to seek mental health services before problems become crises.

The program is part of the Prevention and Early Intervention Statewide Initiatives designed to eliminate stigma and discrimination, prevent suicides, and improve student mental health. PEERS is working with

Leann Simpson and Tando Goduka at Shine premiere 20 | Entertainment & Media Projects

2011 - 2012 ANNUAL REPORT

news media and mental health stakeholders throughout California to encourage accurate and balanced reporting of mental health as well as gather stories of individuals who either live with or have recovered from mental health issues and are valuable contributors to society.

SHINE DOCUMENTARY
As part of its expanding effort to promote dialogue about mental health in the youth community, PEERS was recently named one of six winners of the national SAMHSA Campaign for Social Inclusion State Awards. PEERS was granted $20,000 to create a documentary film telling the personal stories of youths living with behavioral health issues and the impact of violence and trauma in Oakland. Shine follows one young mans battle with depression after an armed robbery leaves him paralyzed and a young woman living with PTSD and depression after years of sexual abuse. It also features another young woman who speaks on her mental health challenges in adolescence and the importance of peer support.

Shine movie poster

Jose Esquivel and Dan Reilly behind the scenes of Shine

Entertainment & Media Projects | 21

Peers Envisioning and Engaging in Recovery Services (PEERS)

NEW INITIATIVES
To fight stigma and discrimination, promote wellness

MHASF California Center for Dignity, Social Inclusion and Stigma Elimination
The Mental Health Association of San Francisco is leading a new statewide project with support from PEERS. The Center for Dignity, Recovery and Stigma Elimination works to advance the effectiveness of community-driven stigma change programs. Through strategically located partnerships across California, the Center creates a living laboratory for learning about and incubating stigma change at the local level. It is firmly grounded in lived experience, advocacy, education, support, research, and challenging the stigma associated with mental health conditions.

Abu Rahim, Peer Mentor Coordinator

Sally Zinman, CAMHPRO Founding Member

JOHN GEORGE PEER MENTOR PROGRAM

John George Psychiatric Pavilion and PEERS collaboration on the Peer Mentor Program is a groundbreaking effort that improves the lives of individuals institutionalized with mental health challenges. The program provides friendly support to consumers who have been discharged from the psychiatric hospital and are transitioning back into day-to-day life. Imple-

Kelechi Ubozoh, Statewide Project Coordinator

Sharon Kuehn, SI Program Manager and CIT Coordinator

22 | New Initiatives

2011 - 2012 ANNUAL REPORT

mented for over 18 months, the program currently hosts 60 participants and 26 mentors. All of the mentors themselves have lived experience with mental health challenges, hospitalizations, and recovery. At the one year mark, the pilot program saw a 71 percent drop in mentees returning to the John George Psychiatric Pavilion in Alameda County.

Looking ahead CAMHPRO Founding Member

PEERS is partnering with founding organizations and statewide leaders in California including Project Return Peer Support Network, MHA of San Francisco, and Consumer Self Help Center of Sacramento to create a coalition called the California Association of Mental Health Peer Run Organizations. The mission of CAMHPRO is to transform communities and the mental health system in California to empower, support, and ensure the rights of consumers, eliminate stigma and discrimination, and advance self-determination for all those affected by mental health issues by championing the work of consumerrun organizations.

CRISIS INTERVENTION TRAINING

Crisis Intervention Training, or CIT, is an innovative first responder model of crisis intervention that trains police officers on how to better understand and interact with a person who is having a mental health crisis. Additionally, it helps facilitate relationships and collaborations between police officers, the mental health system, family members, and consumers. PEERS partners with Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services, the Family Education Resource Center, and the Oakland Police Department to implement this program.

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Peers Envisioning and Engaging in Recovery Services (PEERS)

OPERATIONS & SUPPORT

PEERS KEEPS ON GROWING!

A special thanks to our extraordinary Board of Directors for all their support during this exciting year! We welcome the addition of Chad Saunders, an employment law specialist, and bid a fond farewell to Jonathan Griggs, Board member and Treasurer for the last six years. Luther Jessie continues his exemplary service as Board President, Paulette Malak as Secretary, Quintara Nielsen as Treasurer, and Melany Spielman and Marti Winterhalter as members at large. THANK YOU for your service to PEERS and to the mental health consumer community!

In addition to the staff changes we made last year, we continue to grow and change as our programs evolve. In 2011-12, we welcomed the following new staff: Harry Caldwell, Community Liaison; Kelechi Ubozoh, Statewide Project Coordinator; Leann Simpson, Community Liaison; Sherman Park, Video Production Specialist; Tando Goduka, Receptionist; and Kimberly Marquez, TAYi Coordinator.

HEADQUARTERS EXPANSION
When PEERS moved to the new headquarters on Hegenberger in 2010, we made sure that there was room for expansion and this year, we added 1,525 square feet to the office by securing the adjacent space. The Empowerment Suite houses the WRAP and TAYi programs and staff, houses a conference area, and provides extra work- and computer stations for consumers and TAY participants.

PEERS staff members congregate in the main conference room 24 | Operations & Support

2011 - 2012 ANNUAL REPORT

FINANCIAL RESOURCES
The diagram below highlights the allocation of fiscal resources over the course of the last year. The majority of FY 2011-12 funding was dedicated to the Alameda County Social Inclusion Campaign, supporting access to educational and fellowship resources for the Pool of Consumer Champions (POCC), delivering WRAP training and facilitation and to developing new TAYi and student resources.

PEERS Annual Budget 20112012

CSUEB/ TAYi MHASF 5% 8%

JGPP 3% Other 5%

WRAP 9%

MHIX (POCC) 16%

Social Inclusion Campaign 54%

Operations & Support | 25

Peers Envisioning and Engaging in Recovery Services (PEERS)

CONNECT Situational & MAKE Analysis A DIFFERENCE & Process

PEERS NEEDS YOU to make a difference in the life of a mental health consumer support them by connecting with us and participating in our work!
DONATE!
This coming year marks a new era in fundraising and resource development at PEERS. Help us by making a contribution, donating your time as a volunteer, and helping us spread the word. Contributions can be made to PEERS and every dollar you give will go towards making help available to consumers and to fighting stigma and discrimination.

BOARD SERVICE
As PEERS continues to grow, so does our Board. The Board has recently undertaken a Board development initiative and we will seek to add new members to the Board over the next year. If you are interested in Board service and are a mental health consumer, family member or provider/professional, we would like to hear from you!

VOLUNTEER AT WRAP AROUND THE WORLD CONFERENCE

Expand your WRAP understanding and work with the international consumer community! This unprecedented event is possible only through the dedication and generosity of volunteers and the consumer community. Help make it happen! Be a part of the movement!

PEERS needs you to get involved in spreading wellness and recovery. Support us by participating in our work and in your community. 26 | Connect & Make A Difference

THANK YOU!! The people who help us and contribute to PEERS success are numerous and varied. Thank you for all youve done over the last 10 years to support mental health consumers live better, more fulfilling lives and to take their rightful place in society. We couldnt do it without you!

Peers Envisioning and Engaging in Recovery Services (PEERS) 333 Hegenberger Road, Suite 250, Oakland CA 94621 Phone (510) 832-7337 | Fax (510) 452-1645 www.peersnet.org

Front & back cover image: Leann Simpson