Research and Resources

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.

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, WHAM, NEW-R, and Tobacco Free Workshops, and one-on-one Peer Wellness Coaching to help participants achieve their wellness goals.

Peer Support Resources

If you’ve ever heard the expression “Walk a mile in my shoes,” you know the essence of peer support services. Peer support empowers people living with behavioral health challenges to receive help from someone who’s “been there.” By sharing their experiences, strengths, knowledge, and hope, Tennessee's Certified Peer Recovery Specialists deliver this evidence-based practice in a method that conveys mutual respect and personal responsibility.

The following links are programs and services which employ the power of peer support to change lives.

TAPS Tennessee Association of Peer Specialists - Home (tnpeers.org)
Recovery Within Reach Home - Recovery Within Reach
Consumer Advisory Board Consumer Advisory Board (tn.gov)
Tennessee Peer Recovery Navigators Tennessee Recovery Navigators (tn.gov)
Project Lifeline Lifeline Peer Project (tn.gov)
CPRS Program TN Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Program (tn.gov)