Supporting each other to get out of the hospital, to stay out of the hospital, and to get the hospital out of us.
71%
of individuals matched with Peer Bridgers were not readmitted to NYS Psychiatric Centers within the year following their discharge. (2022)
72%
reduction in community hospital emergency department contacts (2017)
63%
reduction in community hospital inpatient days (2013)
42%
reduction in community hospital emergency reduction in total Medicaid behavioral health spending (2013)
In 1994, the New York Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services (NYAPRS) created the first Peer Bridger™ Program in the nation to support long term residents of New York state psychiatric hospitals with lived experience of mental health, addiction, and trauma related challenges to make successful transitions into their home communities.
Since then, we have worked with managed care organizations and provider partners to support people to transition from other settings including community hospitals and adult care facilities, and to engage and support individuals while they’re in the community to break the cycle of emergency and inpatient services.
Key Principles
- We are there from admission through discharge and into the community for as long as desired.
- All hospital residents are welcome to attend NYAPRS Peer Bridger™ program meetings which include addiction recovery-focused groups such as Double Trouble in Recovery (DTR).
- We develop personalized long-term relationships with peers who have successfully faced the same challenges as the people we support.
- We hold the hope of recovery until the person can carry that hope for themselves.
- We are coaches rather than case managers. We support people to work their own self-identified health, wellness, and recovery programs.
- We work for the person first and collaborate with hospital and community teams as authorized by the people we support.
- People with long histories of hospitalization and mental health struggles are often not a part of the community in which they live. We assist the people we support to be regarded as valued neighbors and friends.
- We assist people to move from learned helplessness to learned helpfulness; to offer support for each other in relationships based on mutuality, respect and shared responsibility.
Our Model
Our NYS Psychiatric Center model relies on a combination of individualized & group support, as follows:
- Engagement at Admission
- Self or staff referral for Individualized Peer Support
- Daily Peer Support Meetings, both in the hospital and in the community
- Identification of Self-Determined Goals
- Interface with Treatment Team as authorized
- Development of Wellness, Relapse Prevention and Crisis Plans
- Preparing for Discharge
- Community Transition and Immersion
Training & Collaboration
Our Bridgers regularly provide trainings on Peer Support and the NYAPRS Peer Bridger™ Program to raise awareness and foster referrals for our services and supports.
We welcome self and staff referrals to receive individualized support. The Alliance Director of Peer Services works closely with liaisons in each of the five OMH facilities to foster widespread knowledge, understanding and referrals to the NYAPRS Peer Bridger™ program.
Contact
Ellen Healion
Director of Peer Bridger Services
ellenh@rightsandrecovery.org
631-388-0134
Send referral via secure fax line at 518-621-1352