The certified behavioral health peer support specialist workforce has faced many challenges since its inception 8 years ago. We fought to establish ourselves in the behavioral health system, we have had to educate and inform the public, and we have had to grow the workforce. MPN has been training peer supporters since 2015 long before certification went into effect in 2018. The basis for the training then and now is the National Practice Standards from SAMHSA. We have trained more than one thousand peer supporters during the last ten years which has provided us with a unique perspective on the workforce. We are not new to the game as are some of the other trainers. Nor are we from out of state here to get wealthy, then disappear after we get a check. We want to see a strong behavioral health peer support workforce now and into the future. In order to do that there needs to be a platform for identifying and addressing the issues. Montana lacks that platform. One that is free from outside influence. At MPN, we have tried many times over the years to participate in such an effort only for it to get corrupted, forcing us to step away. In this article I have broken down the most notable challenges in the behavioral health peer support workforce and some possible solutions.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and for me, as someone who walks this path not only for myself but alongside others as a peer and family peer supporter, it’s more than just a calendar observance. It’s a heartfelt invitation. It’s a chance to shine a light on mental well-being, reduce stigma, and encourage real, meaningful conversations about what it means to live with, and rise through, mental health challenges.
But beyond awareness, this month is also a celebration of something that’s often overlooked in clinical discussions: resilience. Real-life, hard-earned, deeply human resilience. I see it every day. In my own life, in the families I support, and in the courageous individuals I walk beside. In a world that constantly demands more, the ability to care for ourselves and each other, to bounce back, to try again, that’s nothing short of heroic in my eyes.

As a peer supporter, I’ve seen how empowering it can be when someone takes control of their own story and their own journey toward healing. The national “I Am in Control Day” is a reminder for all of us. Whether we are supporting others or working on our own personal growth, we have the ability to take charge of our lives, make choices, and advocate for what we need. It’s a day to celebrate our strength and remind ourselves that, no matter the circumstances, we have the power to harness and create positive change.

Acts of kindness are often seen as simple gestures, yet their impact on mental health can be profound. Whether it’s offering a smile to a stranger, helping a coworker, or volunteering for a cause, kindness can create a ripple effect that benefits both the giver and the recipient. Research has consistently shown that engaging in acts of kindness boosts mental well-being, reducing stress, increasing happiness, and fostering a sense of belonging.

Peer support programs play a crucial role in mental health, addiction recovery, and various support communities. New peer supporters often face challenges as they transition into their roles, making mentorship and job shadowing invaluable resources. A strong mentoring and shadowing system enhances their confidence, competence, and overall effectiveness. Below, we explore the key benefits of mentoring and job shadowing for new peer supporters, highlighting how these relationships foster personal growth, professional development, and improved support for those in need.

Family Peer Support is a trained parent or caregiver with lived experience raising a child with special healthcare needs and/or behavioral health challenges providing support to another parent or caregiver who is currently raising a child with similar healthcare needs. Family Peer Supporters provide emotional support, resources, and connection to community, helping the parent or caregiver feel less isolated, less stressed, and more hopeful. A Family Peer Supporter, because of their lived experience, can connect to another parent or caregiver in a way that few others can. The Family Peer Supporter knows what it feels like to raise a child with special healthcare needs and/or behavioral health challenges. The Family Peer Supporter knows the challenges that parents and caregivers face. They can relate to the often-overwhelming feelings of shame, blame, fear, and loss parents and caregivers experience. The Family Peer Supporter has navigated the confusing health system and has juggled multiple therapies, school meetings, doctor appointments, and other family commitments along with the needs of themselves, their child, and their family. Lived experience is the foundation of Family Peer Support. Lived experience is what makes Family Peer Support a unique service.

Today, before I act, I often ask myself what kind of role model do I want to be today? Six years ago, before I was in recovery, I never gave this much thought, or any thought really. I also didn’t realize the effect that my actions had on those around me, especially people like my nieces or nephews. I was about two years in recovery and was hanging out with my 12-year-old nephew, we were talking about life when he looked at me and said “Uncle Ty, do you remember when I wouldn’t share my taco with you one time, and you grabbed it and smashed it? You used to be mean!” I was absolutely blown away and devastated at the same time. I never realized the impact I had on him or the negative role model I was being. It was at that point in my life I decided from that point on I was going to be a positive role model for him and all the people around me.

At the time of this article there are 210 certified behavioral health peer support specialists in Montana. Since the first peer supporter was certified by the board of behavioral health in September of 2018, there have been a total of 400 peer supporters certified. Roughly half or 50% are still working today. The other way to look at it is 50% or half are not. Losing half of its workforce in just over 5 years is not a sign of a healthy workforce. Historically MPN trains around 100 peer supporters a year, half of those who complete Peer Support 101 will not go onto get certified. Which is a topic for another article. Half of those who do complete training and are certified will not be for long. The CBHPSS workforce in Montana needs additional support.

Today, I invite you to join me on a journey. The map I was given at birth was filled with detours, unexpected stops, fast-paced highways, and scenic routes, accompanied by plenty of bumps and flat tires. Through adaptation and countless obstacles, I navigated a less-traveled road—a highway leading to self-awareness and recovery. I want to pause a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to each of you here today reading this. I know you have faced your own battles, and your presence signifies that you’ve found hope after being hurt and discovered the courage to keep showing up for yourselves. Thank you for allowing me the space to be vulnerable and share my story.