Benefits
Recovery Oriented
Compeer’s volunteer-based programs and services - which serve as an adjunct to therapy - empower people to become more socially integrated and combat the effects of mental illness, from loneliness to isolation and low self-worth.
Community Integration
The Compeer model promotes community integration by matching a person in mental health recovery with a volunteer friend. The matched friends can meet weekly, by-weekly, or monthly for activities - anything from meeting for a coffee or a meal, taking a walk, going to a movie, or attending community events - helping to build confidence and hope in recovery. Other Compeer programs involve skill-building events, such as cooking, money management, and outings.
Best Practices
In May, 2005, Compeer was listed in a best-practices publication of the American Psychological Association, “Training Grid Outlining Best Practices for Recovery and Improved Outcomes for People with Serious Mental Illness.”
Results
Compeer’s programs have been nationally recognized for achieving measurable results:
- Volunteer friendships help to build the self-esteem and independence of children and adults in mental health recovery.
- Compeer programs strive to save health-care dollars by reducing hospitalization.
- All those involved in our programs - individuals served, volunteers and therapists - give Compeer outstanding marks for effectiveness, ranging from 88% to 100% satisfaction.
