History, politics, and practice of independent peer-run organizations: A national view of the field

Peer support is based on principles of mutuality, shared responsibility, and respect for individual experiences. Peer-run organizations are a necessary part of a continuum of care that provides people with non-coercive choice and alternatives that promote recovery. This presentation will discuss why peer-run organizations are so important in a continuum of behavioral health services, and the development and role of the National Coalition for Mental Health Recovery (NCMHR). Peer support has a long history in the consumer/survivor community, and the development and strengthening of this practice in independent organizations has been an important part of our voice as stakeholders. Hundreds of self-help groups, consumer-run initiatives, and statewide consumer organizations have been formed all over the country. These groups have had some success in influencing policy and practices on the local level. The NCMHR strives to gain recognition and influence on a national level. With the passage of the Affordable Care Act and expansion of Medicaid coverage, it is important that we not lose the vision of peer-run organizations as important adjuncts and alternatives to traditional services. NCMHR has amplified the voice of peers in Washington by being a founding member of the National Disability Leadership Alliance (NDLA). NCMHR and NDLA have worked with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the White House to expand the definition of medical necessity and other policy changes that would facilitate financial sustainability while preserving the values of mutual support and human rights for people labeled with mental health diagnoses.