Peer Support Program
Our Peer Support program is a structured and scheduled therapeutic activity with an individual or group provided by a trained, self-identified recipient of MHSD behavioral health and/or intellectual/developmental services. A Peer Support Specialist guides persons served toward achievement of specific goals defined and specified in their individual treatment plan.
The Peer Support program promotes community socialization, recovery, self-advocacy, self-help and development of natural supports. This service is person centered with a recovery focus and allows individuals the opportunity to direct their own recovery and advocacy process. Peer Specialists utilize their own experience and training to assist individuals in understanding how to manage illness in their daily lives by helping them to identify key resources, listening and encouraging coping with barriers in order to achieve their goals.
Peer Support staff also provide ongoing support to keep persons served engaged in proactive and continual follow up treatment. Through active engagement persons served are empowered to make changes to enhance their lives and make decisions about the activities and services they receive. Persons served are empowered to make changes to enhance their lives and make decisions about the activities and services they receive.
Resource Coordination Unit
The MHSD Resource Coordination Unit (RCU) exists to serve people in need of referral and linkage to non-core MHSD provided services. This Unit is intended to serve as a resource to the Access Unit, the Care Center, the staff of MHSD, persons served and their families, along with external partners to the agency.
It is the intention of MHSD that the RCU will serve the equivalent of a “wrap around” unit, purposed for linkage to all other, non-core MHSD provided services, which are supportive in nature and can be of a wide variety. The referral assistance is intended to complement existing clinical and administrative service delivery for the mentally ill, addictive disordered and intellectually/developmentally disabled in the tri-parish area. Creation of the RCU will improve the efficiency of the service delivery process by concentrating and assigning access to wrap around services to the members of the RCU team.
Trauma Services
MHSD offers trauma services to those that meet the criteria listed below:
- Having experienced a traumatic event that is not a usual occurance.
- Re-experiencing that experience through dreams and thoughts.
- Avoidant behavior (Avoiding things that remind you of the trauma; emotional numbness)
- Hyper-vigilance (increased arousal i.e. jumpiness, can’t sleep or stay asleep, poor concentration or focus
Behavioral Health Support Groups
Living with a Mental Illness or Substance Use Problem can be hard. MHSD is here to help! Join our Peer-led Support Groups and connect with individuals with similar concerns. Participants must be ages 21 and older, uninsured or Medicaid eligible. You do not have to receive services from MHSD to attend the support groups. Bus tokens are available if needed *RTA Only*
Groups are held at the locations listed below:
Algiers Behavioral Health Center
Tuesday 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Central City Behavioral Health & Access Center
Monday 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
New Orleans East Behavioral Health Center
Wednesday 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
St. Bernard Behavioral Health Center
Friday 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.