Peer Wellness Initiative

Adults living with serious mental illness die on average 25 years earlier than other Americans largely due to treatable medical conditions (follow this link to read the research). The Peer Wellness Initiative was created, in part, to dramatically change this statistic for the better in Tennessee and to make a positive difference in the lives of those living with mental health and substance use conditions.

The Peer Wellness Initiative’s Peer Wellness Coaches (PWC’s) promote healthier behaviors for Tennesseans with Mental Health and/or Substance Use Disorder conditions by facilitating holistic, evidence-based curriculums such as Chronic Disease, Diabetes, and Chronic Pain Self-Management Workshops, Tobacco Free, Matter of Balance, Whole Health Action Management (WHAM), Nutrition and Exercise for Wellness and Recovery (NEW-R), Enhancing Immune Health, Well Body, and First Aid Arts.  The PWCs also offer one-on-one Peer Wellness Coaching to help participants achieve their wellness goals.

The PWC’s provide their services within their respective agencies and Peer Support Centers, as well as in facilitator trainings across the state.