ST MARYS PEER PROGRAM COLLABORATION OF MIND SPRINGS

ST. MARY’S PEER PROGRAM COLLABORATION OF MIND SPRINGS HEALTH & ST. MARY’S HOSPITAL

Introductions Mind Springs Health Jason Popish, CPS Peer Support Services Coordinator Jason. Popish@sclhs. net Janice Curtis, CPS Peer Support Services Manager JCurtis@Mind. Springs. Health. org St. Mary’s Hospital Heather Rieth, MSN, RN Manager of Patient Services/Nursing Support Services Heather. Rieth@sclhs. net

Identifying needs of Community �Extreme shortage of psychiatric beds �Mind Springs Health Board members express interest in potential Peer solution

Identifying Solutions with St. Mary’s • Collaborative journey between St. Mary’s Hospital and Mind Springs Health o Past and Present • Successful venture between Mind Springs Health and St. Mary’s Hospital for Detox unit • Addressing Mental Health needs of community

Brainstorming of ideas � Cross Learning between organizations � Discussion and proposal of 8 -bed observation unit with utilization of Peer Specialists

Unique Needs for a Unique Program � Lived Experience is the Key � Experience with the Mobile Crisis Response Team as context

Philosophies of Hospital Peer Program � Structure with Comfort � Environment of Trust and Safety � Translation between medical/psych staff and patients � Support Family Connections � Engaging � Hope, Empowerment and Recovery

Development of Hospital Peer Role � Peer Training Intentional Peer Support (IPS) Appalachian Consulting Group – Georgia Training inter. National Association of Peer Supporters (i. NAPS) � Consolidate experience in the Crisis Department to define idea of Hospital Peer role � Experiences in the Emergency Department will refine specific role

Hospital Peer Role � Model Recovery Hope even when no hope is discernable � Empathy, Listen, Be With � Mindful of Larger Contexts � Stages of Recovery � Connection to Supports, Community Resources � Healthy Coping Skills � Whole Health Concepts

Identifying Expanded Opportunity �Goes beyond identified behavioral health clients �Expands to inpatient interactions

Nuts and Bolts � HR from Two Organizations � Hospital Standards � Ideal Candidates Group Interviews Hiring for Success – Program, Peers and Patients

Stepping Stones � Discussions with Spiritual & Palliative Care Team � Staff Education and Acceptance � Ongoing encouragement of program and use.

Education / Future Initiatives � Expanded Behavioral Health Education for Hospital Staff Security ED Physicians Nursing Departments

Education for Peers � Ongoing Clinical Supervision � Client Care Coaching � Task/Ask/Ring List � Medical Terminology

Resiliency becomes Focus “A happy life consists not in the absence, but in the mastery of hardships. ” — Helen Keller “Recovery is not the absence of symptoms or hardships but the development of meaning and purpose. ” — paraphrased from Dr. William Anthony

The Road to Resilience American Psychological Association �Make connections �Avoid seeing crises as insurmountable �Accept that change is a part of living �Move toward your goals �Take decisive actions �Look for opportunities for self-discovery �Nurture a positive view of yourself �Keep things in perspective �Maintain a hopeful outlook �Take care of yourself

Enhancing Continuity of Care Mind Springs Health • • • Detox Unit Mobile Crisis Response Team Peer Dept. – Individual Support, Groups, Respite St. Mary’s Hospital • • Security Psychiatric Evaluation Team Medical Staff Spiritual & Palliative Care

Successes

TESTIMONIAL Janice, This is a shout and HUGE THANK YOU to all the peers that are now at St Mary’s. They have been invaluable. I truly believe they saved [PATIENT’s] life, and so many other patients. Please let them all know, including Jason, how much I appreciate them. There are so many, so I do not want to miss anyone. Yours, Dr. Lapkin

TESTIMONIAL

TESTIMONIAL My experience with Peers has been very positive. I have seen them calm and comfort patient's and their families in the Emergency Department. Peers are also valuable in the inpatient setting. They introduce patient and families to the Peer Programs at Mind Springs Health. This gives information to the patients that they may not otherwise get because of fear, prejudice, or concern that they would not benefit from such a program. The Peers are an asset to St. Mary's. They enhance our service and give added value to patients. — Dianna Fox, RN