City and County of Denver, CO

10/17/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/17/2024 14:33

Denver Honors Peer Support Specialists – Heroes of Recovery

Denver Honors Peer Support Specialists - Heroes of Recovery

Published on October 17, 2024

DDPHE Celebrates 10 Years of Global Peer Support

Denverites struggling with substance use or mental health may have encountered a Peer Support Specialist in their journey to recovery. Through their unique blend of lived experience and professional training, Denver's Peer Supporters help individuals navigate recovery, offering not only resources but also a message of hope: "If I can do it, so can you."

The City and County of Denver celebrated these public service superstars today on the 10th Annual Global Peer Support Celebration Day (GPSCD), with a city-wide event recognizing the transformative impact of Peer Support Specialists. The celebration, hosted by the Denver Department of Public Health & Environment (DDPHE) at the McNichols Civic Center Building, honored the dedication and resilience of Peer Supporters who play a critical role in the recovery journeys of countless individuals in Denver and beyond.

"Denver is committed to meeting people where they are, with the resources they need in their recovery journey. Peer Support Specialists are a key piece of strategy to connect with folks," said DDPHE Executive Director Karin McGowan. "I am so proud of the Peer Supporters working across city agencies who are impacting real change in our community.

In Denver, Peer Support Specialists work across various agencies and departments, including the Public Library, the Office of the Municipal Public Defender, Denver County Courts, Denver Human Services and DDPHE. Their work often intersects with the city's most vulnerable populations, many of whom face challenges such as substance misuse, mental health struggles, and justice system involvement.

This year's celebration was a milestone for GPSCD, which was first established in 2014 by the International Association of Peer Supporters (iNAPS) and supported by the Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare Administration. The event underscores the crucial work that Peer Supporters-individuals with lived experiences of mental health or substance misuse challenges-do every day to inspire hope, foster recovery, and demonstrate the power of resilience.

"Peer Support is about connection and shared experience," said Parker LaCombe, DDPHE Peer Support Workforce Development Specialist. "Our Peer Support Specialists are walking alongside people in their recovery journeys, helping them see that recovery is possible."

Celebration Highlights

The GPSCD celebration in Denver began on October 14, 2024, with a proclamation reading at the City Council session sponsored by Councilwoman Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez. The culminating event on October 17 featured a luncheon and an award ceremony recognizing Peer Supporters and their supervisors for their outstanding contributions to the community. Peer Support stakeholders, city officials, and other invited guests were also in attendance to honor the incredible work being done throughout the city.

The Impact of Peer Support

Since being recognized as an evidence-based practice by the Health and Human Services Commission in 2007, Peer Support has been proven to increase hope and inspiration, enhance engagement in self-care, improve social functioning, and reduce symptoms related to mental health and substance use disorders. Peer Support Specialists not only improve individual outcomes but also help lower the overall cost of services by promoting wellness and recovery.

About Global Peer Support Celebration Day (GPSCD)

GPSCD was established to honor the contributions of Peer Supporters around the world. Every year on the third Thursday of October, communities come together to recognize and celebrate the impact of Peer Support in recovery from mental health and substance use challenges.