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info@iarecovery.org

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NCMHR releases Peer Support Support survey

The National Coalition for Mental Health Recovery (NCMHR), which the Iowa Advocates is a member, has released a survey about the effort to create national standards for peer support. Please look at the note from the NCMHR, including the link to the survey, below.

This is an important moment for all peer support staff/volunteers and peer-run organizations to weigh in on a development potentially affecting the future of how peer support is provided in the U.S.

There is an effort under way to develop national standards for peer support specialists, and we want to know what you think!

We would really appreciate it if you could please fill out this brief survey by Friday, March 1. It should only take a few minutes of your time to complete.

Please find the link below. Thank you so much for your participation - your input is greatly appreciated and your suggestions will guide the NCMHR going forward on this issue.

Click here to take the survey.

The Iowa Advocates for need your voice! 

The Iowa Advocates for Mental Health Recovery need your voice!  "Nothing about us, without us" means that we need to hear from YOU in order to make the Recovery in Iowa newsletter and this organization a powerful force for the healing and recovery of individual people and the healing and recovery of our local and state behavioral health service systems. Please consider sharing your news, thoughts, inspirations, dreams, recovery tips, creativity and more with our editorial and publishing team. All you need is a heart that wants to share, and some way to get the sharing to us!  We'll accept audio and video tapes (we could put your short home-made film or blog onto the website version of the newsletter), emails, attachments, hand-written letters, artwork in many forms and the list goes on!  If you're interested in joining our team or making a contribution to Recovery in Iowa, contact Todd Lange, Executive Director at 1-877-IAHOPE4U or info@iarcovery.org

Just the Beginning ...

Consumers of mental health services in most states have been organized for some time. Iowa has finally begun the process.

Dr. Daniel Fisher, Director of the National Empowerment Center, met with Iowa consumer and family members during the last week of April 2007. With Dr. Fisher was Molly Cisco, Executive Director of Wisconsin’s Empowerment Project.

Those gathered represented many areas of Iowa, were associated with a variety of organizations, and held a variety of views on mental health. However, all believed in the potential to recover and unanimously had a desire to give something back.

Iowa Advocates for Mental Health Recovery is the result of those meetings.

Our Mission

Create opportunities for advancing hope and recovery for all by transforming our community and the mental health system it reflects to one of respect and trust by educating, advocating and empowering.

Our Values

1. Everyone can recover.

2. There is hope for every person.

3. Use your life’s pain to guide, encourage, an empower others.

4. Everyone should have equal access to mental health treatment regardless of county of settlement.

5. Peer support is essential to mental health.

6. People with lived experience should organize to become a stronger voice in the transformation of mental health.

7. People with lived experience should be accorded basic human rights – to be treated with kindness, dignity, and respect. back to top ...

Common Elements of Recovery

Hope and Optimism, a positive belief in one’s ability to live a full and meaningful life despite having, or having had, a mental illness and a belief in future possibilities.

Consumer Choice and Autonomy, the ability to make one’s own decisions regarding programs, activities and treatment and the ability to pursue one’s own interests.

Respect and Dignity, being appreciated as a person with value and being treated with courtesy, fairness and kindness and being recognized with talents and capabilities.

Partnership, recognizing the importance of identifying one’s own needs and goals and sharing in decision making.

Empowerment in Personal Control, trusting in one’s self to get better and resume or attain a satisfying life while assuming self management and accepting personal responsibility.

Restoration and Personal Growth, encouraging an expansion of capabilities and fostering self-confidence and self-esteem.

Self Acceptance and Healing, promoting self awareness and permitting personal forgiveness.

Adaptability and Capacity to Improve, recognizing one's potential and ability and have opportunities to contribute.
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Become a Member

To become a member of this movement contact us via email at info@iarecovery.org or call 1-877-IAHOPE4U.