Written by Huck Talwar

In the world of behavioral health, there exists peer support: a system in which peers take strong, supportive mentorship roles with others to aid in recovery journeys. The TAY Project believes that receiving mentoring is a crucial aspect to recovery and accounts for many successes.

Lived Experience

One of the most important factors that contribute to effective mentoring is lived experience, referring to someone with personal knowledge through firsthand experience. Providers do a great deal to help, but sometimes one needs someone who understands the intricacies of what they are enduring.

Hearing a success story from someone with a similar history may resonate differently. This is especially important when it comes to young people seeing adults who have dealt with similar experiences. Seeing someone survive hardships and thrive later in life provides hope, almost as if the younger individual can see themselves in the same position as the adult. When we work with people who have lived similar experiences, the journey seems more doable, the goals seem more achievable, and the work seems more worthwhile.

Camaraderie

Relationship building is another aspect of mentoring and peer support that can significantly affect communication styles. Cultivating a connection with someone else greatly increases the openness, honesty, comfort, care, and outcomes of any mentor-mentee relationship.

You’ll have someone who is rooting for you, believes in you, listens to you, and guide you on the way to being the best version of yourself. While a friendship is supportive, mentorship take a more formal role, and is goal oriented. Having a strong support system is a big part of recovery, and having a mentor included provides an added level of support.

What We’re Doing at OOOMD’s TAY Project

The TAY Project is collaborating with the Maryland Early Intervention Program (MEIP), a program wherein specialized programs and expertise are provided on early identification, evaluation, and treatment of youth and young adults at risk for, or in early stages of, a mental illness involving psychosis. We work closely with peer support specialists to support their goals and aid in Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) certification. We also collaborate with peers to enhance, adapt, and improve peer support at their clinical sites, such as virtual adaptations and skill-based trainings.

The TAY Project is offering young adults from Maryland the opportunity to come together for free peer mentoring with our bi-monthly, virtual Mentoring Circles. Coming together with the TAY Project means increased connection with those who have lived experience and further opportunities for relationship building.

Mentoring can impact the trajectory of one’s recovery and lead to stronger interpersonal relationships, better goal setting, and resilience. It is as impactful for the mentor as it is for the mentee. Many have experienced increased wellness because of mentoring before, and we will celebrate each victory to come.

1. What does mentorship mean to you? 

2. How has a mentor or mentee made an impact on your life? 

3. List 3 ways a mentor can build or model resilience in the life of a child, adolescent, or young adult.