Peer Support Services

What Is
PEER SUPPORT

Peer support is the term commonly used to refer to all the activities that peer specialists perform. According to NAMI, peer support is getting help from someone who has been there. People with similar experiences may be able to listen, give hope and guidance toward recovery in a way that is different from, and may be just as valuable, as clinical mental health services. Peer services include mutual support groups, peer-run programs, and services in traditional mental health agencies provided by peer support specialists. While peer support groups may be composed entirely of people who have simply learned through their own experience, some types of peer providers undergo training and professional certification. These individuals use their lived experiences in combination with skills training to support peers and/or family members with similar experiences. In addition to direct services, many peer-run organizations advocate to improve opportunities for people recovering from mental illnesses.

2024
Trainings

CPSS Recertification
& Renewal Directions

The link below provides the 2023 CPSS Recertification and Renewal Directions. Please read the directions carefully. Payment will also be available on the PLACE Online Payment PortalSubmit your completed renewal packet (including the renewal fee) to the following address:

Mississippi Department of Mental Health (DMH)
Division of Recovery & Resiliency – Kathy Smith
239 North Lamar Street
1101 Robert E. Lee Building
Jackson, MS 39201
Attn: CPSS Renewal

The completed renewal packet should be submitted as soon as possible, but NO LATER THAN 5:00 p.m., Monday, September 29. 2023. Postmark dates are not considered; only the date of receipt
counts towards meeting the renewal requirement.
Click here for the CPSS Recertification and Renewal Directions and Application 2023

Success Stories

peer Support Designations

Certified Peer Support Specialist Professionals (CPSSP)

Certified Peer Support Specialist Professional (CPSSP) is one who has successfully completed the CPSSP Training provided through the MS Department of Mental Health (DMH).

This training grounds participants in recovery concepts and build skills in creating helpful peer relationships throughout the recovery process and focus on ethical practice for peers. The CPSSP training designations are Adult and Recovery, Parent/Caregiver, Young Adult, Forensic Peer Recovery, and Recovery only (must have been previously trained in the Adult designation prior to May 2021). Adult and Recovery designation trains individuals who have personal lived experience with a behavioral health diagnosis (mental illness and/or substance use disorder) who can demonstrate their own efforts in self-directed recovery. Parent/Caregiver designation trains biological/adoptive parents or relative caregivers with permanent legal custody who are raising or have raised a child with an emotional, social, behavioral and/or substance use disability. Young Adult designation trains individuals between 18 and 26 years old with lived experience with a behavioral health diagnosis (mental illness and/or substance use disorder) who can demonstrate their own efforts in self-directed recovery. The Forensic Peer Recovery designation trains individuals who have personal lived experience with a behavioral health diagnosis (mental illness and/or substance use disorder) and history within the criminal justice system who can demonstrate their own efforts in self-directed recovery. Applications for all designation trainings are available in the section below labeled “CPSS Documents.” Applicants will be notified of acceptance after applications have been reviewed.

To become a CPSSP, a test must be completed with a passing score of at least 75%, verification of current employment with a program funded and/or certified or licensed by the Mississippi Department of Mental Health, and credentials from the DMH Division of Professional Licensure and Certification (PLACE) must be obtained.

Peer Bridger Designation

The purpose of the Peer Bridger Project is to improve the transition process from inpatient care to a community-based level of care, improve the quality of life, reduce the need for readmission, and increase the number of individuals who attend follow-up appointments. Intensive peer support services are provided by State Certified Peer Bridger Support Specialists who have had experience living with mental health and substance use challenges. These services are currently provided in behavioral health programs, community mental health centers, and crisis stabilization units.

To become a Peer Bridger Support Specialist, you must have first successfully completed the Certified Peer Support Specialist Professional (CPSSP) Training. If interested, complete a Peer Bridger Registration Form.

The Peer Bridger Supervisor Training is designed for agency administration/management overseeing Peer Bridger programs throughout the state. Its purpose is to highlight efficient ways to ensure collaborative efforts between inpatient and outpatient services designed to ensure this continuum of care are uninterrupted. If you’re overseeing a Peer Bridger program and in need of this training, PB Supervisor Training Form.

Forensic Peer Recovery Designation

As mentioned above, the designation of Forensic Peer Support Specialists is the latest designation for Peer Support Specialists in Mississippi. For the application and and additional documents related to the Forensic Peer Recovery Designation, please see the following documents: CPSS-F Application CPSSP Additional Designation Form Information Gathering Form- Currently Incarcerated Information Gathering Form Reference Form Scope of Activities Verification of Employment. All other documents are below in the section labeled CPSS Documents.

The Certified Peer Support Specialist Professional (CPSS) Supervisor Training is designed to equip DMH Certified agency administration/management and supervisors in the state mental health system with effective tools needed to oversee DMH certified peer support programs and their support staff. The effective incorporation of this workforce is greatly dependent upon the quality of the relationship between the certified peer support specialist and his/her supervisor. This training will focus on:

  • Preparing the Organizational Culture for Peer Support
  • Supervision of CPSSP
  • Role of CPSSP
  • Recruitment, Hiring and Retention of CPSSP

Employment Opportunities

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Region 2 CMHC, Communicare

As of June 1, 2023, Communicare has indicated it has openings available for positions that include: Certified Peer Support Specialists, Youth Certified Peer Support Specialist, Peer Bridger, and Overdose Outreach Worker.

Find Communicare’s current job openings here. 

Region 3 CMHC, Lifecore Health Group

As of June 1, 2023, Lifecore has indicated it has openings available for positions that include: Certified Peer Support Specialists and Certified Peer Support Specialists with the Fruition Children and Youth program.

Find Lifecore’s current job openings here. 

Region 7 CMHC, Community Counseling Services

As of June 1, 2023, Community Counseling Services has indicated it has openings available for positions that include: Peer Bridger and Certified Peer Support Specialist.

Find Community Counseling Services current job openings here. 

Region 8 CMHC, Region 8 Mental Health Services

As of June 1, 2023, Region 8 Mental Health Services has indicated it has job openings available for positions that include: Certified Peer Support Specialists.

Find Region 8’s current job openings here.

Region 9 CMHC, Hinds Behavioral Health Services

As of June 1, 2023, Hinds Behavioral Health Services has indicated it has job openings available for positions that include: Certified Peer Support Specialist and Peer Bridger.

Find Hinds Behavioral Health Services current job openings here.

Region 10 CMHC, Weems Community Mental Health Center

The job postings below are not positions with the Department of Mental Health, but are positions with the Region 10 Community Mental Health Center, Weems Community Mental Health Center. Click the links below for more information.

Peer Support Specialist

Region 12 CMHC, Pine Belt Mental Healthcare Resources

As of June 1, 2023, Pine Belt Mental Healthcare Resources has indicated it has job openings available for positions that include: Certified Peer Support Specialist – Recovery, Certified Peer Support Specialists, and Family Peer Support Specialist.

Find Pine Belt’s current job openings here.

Region 14 CMHC, Singing River Services

The job postings below are not positions with the Department of Mental Health, but are positions with the Region 14 Community Mental Health Center, Singing River Services. Click the links below for more information.

Certified Peer Support Specialist, Peer Bridger

Parent Peer Support

Certified Recovery Peer Support Specialist for Alcohol and Drug

Crisis Support Peer Support

Certified Navigator Grant Peer Support Specialist