Role Description: NAMI Peer-to-Peer Mentors are individuals living with a mental health condition and are responsible for teaching NAMI Peer-to-Peer courses (P2P).

NAMI Peer-to-Peer is a free, 8-week recovery education course open to individuals with mental illness who are interested in support, wellness, and recovery. The class is taught by trained mentors, individuals with lived experience. The course uses a combination of lecture, discussion and structured activities to provide information and offer opportunities to reflect on the impact of mental illness. Peer-to-Peer offers comprehensive information on the biological basis of mental illness and information on addictions, spirituality, and basic self-care.

Role Requirements:

1. Personal experience having a mental illness and living well in recovery.
2. Willingness to share one’s own lived experience with course participants.
3. Strong commitment to supporting individuals dealing with mental illness.
4. Participated in a NAMI Peer-to-Peer course.
5. Complete 3-day NAMI training course and subsequent refresher requirements.
6. Complete a NAMI LBA Stipend Volunteer Agreement.
7. Volunteers are responsible for notifying the Director of Outreach & Special Projects of changes to their IRS Form W-9 information on an annual basis.
8. Current member of NAMI, or willingness to join.
9. Responsible, strong organizational skills and people skills.
10. Desire to teach and a commitment to adhering to the NAMI Peer-to-Peer course curriculum.
11. Ability to read, comprehend, and present technical material.
12. Experience in teaching or public speaking is helpful but not required; however, volunteers must be comfortable speaking in front of groups.

Volunteer Commitment:

Volunteers are encouraged to teach the course at least twice in the 2 years following completion of training. The course meets for 2 hours each week for 8 consecutive weeks; volunteers must ensure their availability to teach for the 8 weeks of instruction.

Peer-to-Peer courses are scheduled throughout the calendar year.

Volunteer Responsibilities:

1. Work collaboratively with co-mentor to teach the class, including planning, setup/cleanup, and bringing materials.
2. Maintain confidentiality of course participants.
3. Assist with planning and outreach, coordinate classes, and complete all paperwork requirements (data collection and class attendance).
4. Fulfill mentor refresher requirements.
5. Encourage class participants to join NAMI LBA and become advocates.

COVID-19 Update:

All classes are currently being held virtually. Moving forward, we hope to offer classes in a blended environment, offering a combination of in-person and virtual instruction.