CULTURALLY-FAITH-BASED PEER RECOVERY ADVOCATE

SUMMARY

The Culturally-Faith-Based Peer Recovery Advocate plays a vital role in bridging the gap between faith-based communities and behavioral health services. Drawing on lived experience with mental health recovery, the Advocate fosters trust, understanding, and collaboration between community members, faith leaders, and behavioral health providers.

This position is instrumental in engaging with faith-based communities, reducing stigma surrounding mental health, and empowering individuals to access the support and resources they need. Through advocacy, education, and partnerships, the Advocate will ensure that faith-based leaders and their congregations are equipped to address behavioral health challenges while fostering an environment of hope, empathy, and recovery.

QUALIFICATIONS

•    High school diploma or GED

•    Persons with personal life experience.

•    Attain Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) credential within one (1) year of employment

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Build and maintain strong relationships with faith-based communities, including pastors, ministers, and other leaders, to increase awareness of available behavioral health services.
• Attend monthly meetings with faith-based leaders to discuss their congregations’ behavioral health needs and promote the importance of mental health resources.
• Facilitate workshops, information sessions, and summits for faith-based communities, both in-person and virtually, to foster collaboration and reduce stigma around behavioral health conditions. 
• Support faith-based leaders by providing advocacy training to help them guide their communities to appropriate treatment and recovery resources.
• Share personal experiences individuals within the faith-based communities by providing relatable, firsthand insights that encourage openness and reduce stigma associated with mental health to foster empathy and understanding.