Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Peer Support, Wellness, and Respite Center?
The Peer Support, Wellness, and Respite Centers are peer-run alternatives to a traditional mental health day program and psychiatric hospitalization.
What criteria does a person need to meet to participate in the Peer Support, Wellness, and Respite Centers?
A participant must be at least 18 years of age and self identify as a person who is a consumer of mental health services.
What is a Respite Bed?
The Peer Support , Wellness, and Respite Centers have three respite beds each which can be occupied by a participant who needs extra support for up to 24 hours a day, and prefers not to be in a hospital setting. A person can use a respite bed for up to seven nights.
How does a person access a respite bed?
A participant can come to a Respite Center while s/he is feeling well and have a Pro-active Interview with a peer staff. Once the interview is completed, s/he qualifies for a respite bed if and when the need arises and a bed is available.
What is a Pro-active Interview?
A Pro-active Interview is an interactive dialogue between a Respite Center peer staff and a peer participant. It is used to determine the type of respite supports preferred by the participant. It is completed while a participant is feeling well.
Will participants still see their regular doctors?
Yes, and anyone else they choose to see.
What about medication?
All overnight participants are responsible for taking their own prescribed medications and keeping them in a locked box, the box and key are provided by the Respite Centers.
What about meals?
The kitchen will be stocked for participants who are using the respite beds and they are free to prepare food for themselves at their convenience. Participants are also free to bring in their own food.
Do you have doctors on call?
There are no doctors, nurses, case-managers, or clinical staff associated with the Respite Center, although each participant is free to utilize his or her established medical and community resources.
Do you keep charts on participants?
Respite Guests have a file consisting of their Proactive Interview and their emergency contact information. Guests have access to their file upon request
Will you keep files on those who do not use the respite beds?
No. We will have a guestbook for people to sign as they come into the Respite Center so we will know how many people participated each day.
There are several peers at our mental health center who I would like to refer to a Respite Center. What is the process for referrals?
The Peer Support , Wellness, and Respite Centers accept self referrals. Please feel free to distribute our contact information to any peer who is interested.
I want to come to the Peer Support and Wellness Center right away. What do I need to do?
Come to any of the Peer Support, Wellness, and Respite Centers any day of the week between 10:00 am - 6:00 pm and sign the guestbook. We look forward to meeting you!
What kind of training does the Wellness Center Peer Staff have?
All peer staff are Certified Peer Specialists. In addition, all peer staff have completed Intentional Peer Support Training with Shery Mead and Chris Hansen, Warmline Training with Sheila Silverman, CPR/First Aid Certification Training and general orientation with the Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network. Probably the best training, however, is the lived experience we all share as mental health peers!
