What Does a Peer Specialist Do?

A Certified Peer Support Specialist, or CPS, is someone who has had their own personal life experience with a mental health condition and is further along in their treatment journey. They have been trained to help other people cope and recover from their own personal experiences.

#CertifiedPeerSupportSpecialist #PeerSupport #MentalHealth

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Psych Hub is an educational service, and the information in this video is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you or someone you know are experiencing what you believe are mental health symptoms, please consult with a trained medical professional or a licensed mental health provider. We recommend consulting with a licensed behavioral health provider before trying any of the strategies mentioned in our materials.

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If you or someone you know are having thoughts of suicide or self-harm or are experiencing a mental health crisis, please call a national 24/7 hotline. For United States residents, those are:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
For anyone experiencing a mental health crisis.
AVAILABILITY: 24/7/365
PHONE NUMBERS:
Primary line: 1-800-273-8255
Ayuda en Español: 1-888-628-9454
Video relay service: 800-273-8255
TTY: 800-799-4889
Voice/Caption Phone: 800-273-8255
ONLINE CHAT: suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/
WEBSITE: suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

Crisis Text Line
For anyone experiencing a mental health crisis.
AVAILABILITY: 24/7/365
TEXT NUMBER:
US & Canada: Text HOME to 741741
UK: Text 85258
Ireland: Text 086 1800 280
WEBSITE: crisistextline.org

View 25 Comments

25 Comments

@maryloveland5048 on September 12, 2020 4:07 pm

God bless you all in Jesus name amen 🙏 🙌✨❤ 🙌✨ 🙌 ✨
@MaxximusP on February 1, 2021 4:52 am

This doesn’t use CPS language at all and is a very poor representation of what we do.
@candyjay370 on February 28, 2021 11:34 pm

Connecting with people who understand you and what you're going through is an amazing experience.
@yaneliduran96 on April 12, 2021 4:12 pm

im here because i am on my journey!
@misterromerosenglishclassa693 on April 17, 2021 5:17 am

This is amazing am currently studying pshycology and EFL teaching here in mexico. I'll take the peer support specialist course at USU
@chrisdubz6488 on February 16, 2022 4:57 am

How do i become one?
@laraparks7018 on May 27, 2022 6:37 pm

I may do this
Been there, still fighting symptoms and system
@lindabb621 on January 28, 2023 2:44 pm

I was given this video contact AFTER going through a NAMI Peer to Peer Specialist Course…Does anybody know what NAMI can do for people with mental illness? I'm still confused about the process. Thank you.
@michaelsalamone8009 on February 20, 2023 2:29 am

Unfortunately a peer specialist can sometimes be more more stressful. Especially if they only won't to see you at a inconsistent time like when you are at work or school .
@ivanemmanuel2822 on March 29, 2023 6:30 am

Your behaviour is unacceptable !!!!!!!!!!l!!!!???????????
@ivanemmanuel2822 on March 29, 2023 6:31 am

Behaviour
@khalvinjosef3634 on April 16, 2023 2:19 am

Does anyone know the beat at the start of the video
@michaelrauch8629 on June 6, 2023 2:51 am

I'm going to become a Cps to help! I'm beyomf proud
@Thewellnessmermaid on September 2, 2023 8:33 pm

I’m on my journey to becoming one as well I’m having trouble finding a program for the required 40 our training in Florida if anyone could send me a link, that would be great
@Donotsellyourselfshort on April 6, 2024 5:26 pm

That’s the training I’m going to do in two weeks
@jacquelinesmith6712 on May 21, 2024 9:07 pm

I have an interview for a peer support specialist role in my hometown of Ocala, Florida, this week. I am very excited and hope the interview goes well.
@franchotbell5144 on May 25, 2024 8:45 am

I love this 💗💗💗
@HopefulOptimist on July 6, 2024 2:01 pm

Are there growth opportunities for Peer Specialists? My bipolar disorder led to a 20-month incarceration, but my prior career was sales / account management for FinTech orgs. The CPS role seems like a way out of the menial labor jobs I'm now facing (retail), but is there anywhere to go in the field beyond the role and $17 / hour?

I like the idea of the job, I just hope there's a possibility to build a life on the salary.
@fabienneclermont7171 on September 19, 2024 2:44 pm

Question, what is the difference between peer specialists and peer advocates?
@sueannemathews4037 on September 30, 2024 8:05 pm

I finally found my calling. Thank you Lord😅
@lynettestuder286 on October 24, 2024 12:16 am

I was going to use this to teach social work students, but decided not to based on the gendered language. Please change so it relates to my students who are transgender or non-binary.
@absolute-6664urazz on January 27, 2025 1:04 am

They need to pay CPS more!!!!
@RockyBavero-b1x on February 24, 2025 2:47 pm

I have been a peer specialist and a c,p,r,a for 5 years in NYC and I love it..
@shawnanderson1622 on March 22, 2025 3:01 pm

I've been trying for over year to get peer support and crs but no go so far.
@ASSADZMANFILMS on July 29, 2025 10:15 pm

I signed up today for courses