How can more people earn the certification?
Mental Health America (MHA) has clearly documented that peer support is an evidence-based practice for individuals with mental health challenges. It summarizes the findings:'Both quantitative and qualitative evidence indicate that peer support lowers the overall cost of mental health services by reducing re-hospitalization rates and days spent in inpatient services, increasing the use of outpatient services. Peer support improves quality of life, increases and improves engagement with services, and increases whole health and self-management'. (MHA, Evidence for Peer Support, May 2019)
Most states have established programs to train and certify peer specialists and MHA has created a National Certified Peer Specialist (NCPS) certification.