Workshops
In addition to providing one-on-one coaching, State Peer Wellness Coaches also support clients as they work toward their health goals by offering peer workshops that cover a wide range of health-related areas. Our work is based on that of Dr. Peggy Swarbrick, an internationally recognized pioneer in peer-driven wellness and recovery approaches who is best known for her creation of the 8 Dimensions of Wellness: Physical, Emotional, Spiritual, Financial, Environmental, Occupational, Social, and Intellectual.
State Peer Wellness Coaches offer multiple different programs in a wide variety of settings, including individual outpatient therapy and inpatient programs at behavioral health centers and agencies, mental health crisis units and centers; peer support centers; group homes, and other settings for people living with mental health and or co-occurring disorders. These workshops are backed by research demonstrating proven success among a wide range of demographic areas. These workshops are split into two different categories and focus on learning new skills such as: Healthy Eating, Decision-Making, Medication Usage, Physical Activity, Problem-Solving, Dealing with Depression, Better Sleep, Better Breathing, Working with Your Healthcare Organization, Using Your Mind, Communication Skills, Weight Management.
The Tennessee Department of Mental Health works to find the best evidence-based programs State Peer Wellness Coaches can provide through our work as we assist our peers so they can recover and live fulfilling, healthy, happy lives to the best of their ability.
Category One
Category One workshops are evidence-based programs that are delivered through six sessions. The programs require 2 staff trained in the model to lead the workshops. These programs are also Train the Trainer, meaning PWCs are able to train new staff on how to deliver these workshops. Programs included in Category One are: Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP), Diabetes Self-Management Program (DSMP), Chronic Pain Self-Management Program (CPSMP), DIMENSIONS: Tobacco Free, and Matter of Balance (MOB). Click below for more information about each workshop.
Website: https://www.selfmanagementresource.com/
A 6-week workshop originally developed at Stanford University, along with the Self-Management Resource Center, the CDSMP is a lay-led participant education program offered in communities in the United States and other countries. The CDSMP provides information and teaches practical skills for managing chronic illnesses, assisting individuals as they build the confidence and the motivation they need to manage the challenges of living with a chronic health condition.
Website: https://www.selfmanagementresource.com/
A 6-week workshop originally developed at Stanford University, along with the Self-Management Resource Center, the DSMP a lay-led participant education programs offered in communities in the United States and other countries. The DSMP provides information and teaches practical skills for self-managing diabetes, assisting individuals as they develop the confidence and motivation they need to cope with challenges.
Website: https://www.selfmanagementresource.com/
A 6-week workshop originally developed at Stanford University, along with the Self-Management Resource Center, The CPSMP is a lay-led participant education program offered in communities in the United States and other countries. The program provides information and teaches practical skills for self-managing chronic pain and assists individuals as they develop the confidence and motivation they need to cope with challenges.
Website: https://www.bhwellness.org
A 6-week workshop created by the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, that helps clients on their tobacco and nicotine cessation journey, including vaping and smokeless tobacco, by providing the latest research as well as a wide-range of information and support regarding quit methods.
Website: https://www.mainehealth.org
An 8-week workshop developed at the Roybal Center at Boston University, A Matter of Balance is a program designed to reduce the fear of falling and increase activity levels among older adults. Participants learn to view falls as controllable, set goals for increasing activity, make changes to reduce fall risk at home, and exercise to increase strength and balance.
Category Two
Category Two workshops are evidence-informed programs and the length of the program varies. These programs can be delivered with only one trained staff member. Training for some of these programs is self-paced and can be completed online while others require additional steps. Category Two workshops offered at this time include: Whole Health Action Management (WHAM), Nutrition and Exercise for Wellness and Recovery (NEW-R), Enhancing Immune Health (EIH), DIMENSIONS: Well Body (Well Body), First Aid Arts, and Mindful Recovery. Click below for more information about each workshop.
A 10 session program developed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association’s (SAMHSA) Center for Integrated Health Solutions. WHAM covers the 8 Dimensions of Wellness in weekly sessions by addressing the areas of spirituality, cognitive-reframing, and the power of human connections. Following the workshop, peer groups then meet an additional 8 weeks to support each other as they work toward a specific goal they have developed during the workshop.
An 8-week workshop developed by the University of Illinois at Chicago’s (UIC) Center on Integrated Health Care and Self-Directed Recovery, and the UIC Center on Psychiatric Disability and Co-Occurring Medical Conditions. This evidence-based program solely focuses on nutrition and physical activity guidance to help people living with mental illnesses and/or co-occurring disorders lose weight.
A 5-Module Workshop, Enhancing Your Immune Health teaches users how the immune system works and how to apply practical skills for better immune health. Its central message is that people can lessen their vulnerability to colds, flu, and infections by adopting a healthier lifestyle that includes adequate sleep, less stress, and a well-balanced diet. Also covered are immunity aids backed by research evidence and the role of vaccinations and annual screenings in enhancing immune health. People are encouraged to set goals to improve sleep, reduce stress, and choose foods and supplements that support immune function.
Website: https://www.bhwellness.org
A 6-week workshop, The Well Body program teaches information and skills that can be used to build a healthy lifestyle and maintain a healthy weight. This program is designed to help people envision and achieve their personal Well Body goals. Some groups are particularly at-risk for weight gain and lifestyle-related issues. This may be because of limited access to healthy, affordable food, difficulties in being physically active, or because of other health conditions or medications that contribute to weight gain. In addition, many at-risk populations are under-served by health promotion and weight management services. The Well-Body program provides tailored information designed to meet the needs of priority populations.
Website: https://firstaidarts.org
Informed by neurological and psychological research that supports the use of arts-based psychosocial resources to promote resilience and reduce the symptoms of post-traumatic stress, Level One First Aid Arts Responders develop a thorough understanding of the impact that traumatic stress has on the brain, body, relationships, spirit, and community. Participants are able to identify and respond to trauma-related behavior and normalize the common adaptive strategies known as fight, flight, and freeze, incorporate the arts into their self-care routine to help increase resilience and reduce the negative effects of secondary and vicarious trauma, and understand how different forms of art and creative expression engage the brain/body and promote healthy connections with others. Level Two First Aid Arts Responders facilitate intentional trauma-informed multi-modal arts-based activities within a group setting over 8-weeks using the tools learned in Level One.
Website: https://www.mindfulrecoverycoach.org/
A 10-session series, the Mindful Recovery facilitator program includes mindfulness practice, and education about how this practice effects the brain and nervous system, with a focus on discussions that reinforce the recovery process.