Mental Health Peer Support

PeerForce is here for people who are either looking to explore a career in the peer field,
or existing peers who need a little bit of help on their journey.

What is a Mental Health Peer Specialist ?

In Texas a certified Mental Health Peer Specialist (MHPS) is a person who uses lived experience in recovery from a mental health condition*, in addition to skills learned in formal training, to deliver strengths-based, person-centered services to promote a recipient's recovery and resiliency.

All peer specialist services are recovery-oriented, person-centered, relationship-focused, and trauma-informed.

Peer specialist services may include:

  • Recovery and wellness support - includes providing information on and support with planning for recovery

  • Mentoring - includes serving as a role model and providing assistance in finding needed community resources and services

  • Advocacy - includes providing support in stressful or urgent situations and helping to ensure that the recipient's rights are respected

Services may be provided individually or in a group

Peer support is always voluntary!

*Mental health condition--A condition (excluding a single diagnosis of an intellectual or developmental disability or a substance use disorder) that substantially impairs:

    (A) an individual's thought, perception of reality, emotional process, or judgement

    (B) an individual's behavior; or

    (C) an individual's ability to participate in daily routines.

Cited: Texas Health and Human Services Commission Title 1, Part 15, Chapter 354, Subchapter N, Peer Specialist Services.

Steps to Becoming Certified

Recertification

See What Peers Are Saying

Find Training Opportunities

Ready to get trained as an MHPS? Looking for CEU opportunities for renewal? Check out our training calendar. Here is a list of upcoming training and CEU opportunities for you to choose from.

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Find Supervison

MHPS credentials require a supervised internship period. Start here if you need to find a supervisor or learn more about this stage of the process.

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Find Employment

MHPS credentials require a supervised internship period. Start here if you need to find a supervisor or learn more about this stage of the process.

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Apply for Financial Assistance

PeerForce has limited funds for training, background checks, and state application fees. Learn more about applying here.

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Need Help? Contact Us!

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