Peer Services
Sometimes, the best remedy for mental health and substance use challenges is the attention of someone who understands. That's what peer services are all about. People with similar life experiences supporting each other in reaching their full potential.
Peer recovery centers
Peer recovery centers offer drop-in opportunities for peer support. No appointment is necessary.
Peer-run respites
Peer-run respites offer peer support during scheduled overnight stays.
Peer specialist certifications
Many people receive peer services through trained peer providers. There are two types of peer specialist certifications in Wisconsin.
- Certified peer specialist: An individual with experience in the mental health and substance use services system trained to provide support to others struggling to find a path to recovery.
- Certified parent peer specialist: An individual with experience raising a child with behavioral health challenges trained to utilize their experience navigating services in support of other parents.
Learn more about peer specialist certifications in Wisconsin.
Parent peer crisis survey now open
The Division of Care and Treatment Services is conducting a short survey to learn more about parent peer support in Wisconsin, specifically parent peer support in crisis services. It will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. The deadline to participate is June 9, 2025.
Participation in this survey is intended for individuals at least 18 years of age who identify as a parent peer. Individuals do not need to be certified or employed in the parent peer field to take this survey. The perspective of these individuals will:
- Assist with the transformation of the crisis services system.
- Help to identify how parent peers are currently working in the crisis services system.
- Help to identify if parent peers are comfortable working in the crisis services system.
This survey is not for people who solely identify as an individual peer specialist or peer recovery coach. People who identify as an individual peer specialist or peer recovery coach were invited to complete a similar survey in 2023. Learn more below.
Peer crisis survey results
In 2023, the Division of Care and Treatment Services invited peers to answer questions on their peer identity, overall peer work experiences, and their perspectives and experiences related to working in services that support people experiencing mental health and substance use emergencies. This survey is part of ongoing work to promote the use of peers in crisis services.
A report, Peers in Crisis Services: Results of a 2023 State Survey (PDF), was published in 2024.