A new peer support group offering assistance for self-care and service awareness is available for San Quentin residents.
The Peer Support Systems Program (PSSP) will consist of 30 residents receiving training on 17 core abilities required by California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) to become a certified peer support mentor.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) guidelines will also be included in the training, which will prepare peer workers in behavioral health services, stated the overview guide.
The new group is part of CDCR’s efforts to provide opportunities for incarcerated people to receive training and use their lived experiences to mentor and support their peers as mentioned in the “Peer Mentorship” pillar of the California Model.
“I believe that after their training, the peer support mentor will be genuine and will have the abilities to supply us with the tools to navigate through life stressors as incarcerated persons,” said resident Vantwan Mays.
The PSSP model inspires incarcerated persons to provide selfhelp educational tools and resources, achieve recovery, and dissipates myths about mental health conditions and substance use disorders. It will include bridging communication with custody when needed, and supporting re-entry services.
“San Quentin is the third prison in California rolling out this new program that is the only one of its kind in the entire world. Every institution will be given 30 paid positions — we are investing in our community,” said Dr. A. Pachynski, chief medical executive of San Quentin.
All areas of CDCR are participating in the training, including staff representatives of medical, custody, education, and mental health departments, added Pachynski.
The core skills for peer workers will consist of core principles and values.
These are:
- Recovery oriented: Hold out hope for those they serve, partner with the incarcerated person to envision and achieve a meaningful and purposeful life. Builds on strengths and empowers the consumer [resident] to choose for themselves.
- Person-centered: Peer recovery support is personalized to align with the specific goals of the individual identified to the peer worker.
- Voluntary: Peer workers partner and consult the consumer [resident] whom they serve. Services will not be dictated. Recovery plans are always depending on the peers needs or choice.
- Relationship-focused: The relationship between the peer worker and the peer is the foundation of the recovery support services and support provided. The relationship is respectful, empathetic, collaborative, and mutual.
- Trauma-informed: Peer recovery support utilizes a strength-based framework that emphasizes physical, psychological, and safety that creates opportunities for survivors to rebuild a sense of control and empowerment.
“I believe that any type of one-on-one interaction that creates accountability between the mentor and the resident is good,” said resident Ralph Flynn. “It is critical for rehabilitation and learning.”
The certification of a Peer Support Mentor will also give the trained specialist an opportunity of employment when they return to their communities. This will be in the field of behavioral health and recovery clinics, said Dr. Pachynski.
“For me the training has been intense, enlightening, and positive. We are going to better inform our consumers [and residents] of any procedure that CDCR offers,” said resident Michael Moore, a peer support specialist trainee.
“It supports the recovery of our consumers by empowering them to improve their physical, mental, and spiritual lives by providing resources and partnerships to strengthen that possibility,” she added.
