A free digital program to train peer support specialists how to help others experiencing mental health issues has been released by wellness platform ShareWell.
The 10-hour program was created to teach individuals interested in peer support how to lead a support group composed of others experiencing mental health issues and to facilitate self-healing, according to a Dec. 13 news release from the company. Peer support groups have been found to reduce an individual's inpatient treatment days and overall spending on mental health services, according to a 2019 report from nonprofit organization Mental Health America.
The training program offers training in tropics including trauma awareness, crisis response and inclusion, according to the release.
"In the last year alone, we've hosted thousands of peer support groups on our platform and have seen firsthand the transformative power of peer support," CeCe Cheng, ShareWell's founder and CEO, said in the release. "With this training program, we hope more people will feel confident in their ability to help others heal while reaping the benefits of hosting themselves."