Recovery Support Services and Consumer Advocacy

Recovery is a personal process that involves overcoming the negative impact of a psychiatric disability despite its continued presence. People can and do recover from mental illness.

Recovery Support Services

• Supportive Employment
  Research strongly supports the critical impact employment plays in promoting recovery. Consumers of mental health services want to work, and can maintain employment if they are given proper support and guidance. The Department works with local business and nonprofit organizations to hire consumers of mental health services and provides ongoing support. For more information about the Supportive Employment Program, call Stephen Baker at 202-673-7579.

• Housing 
  Decent, safe and affordable housing contributes to mental well-being. The Department funds supportive housing programs to expand the options available to people with mental illness—from rental assistance to community based residential facilities. Our goal is to support the highest functional living arrangement and independence appropriate to the consumer. For more information about housing options, call the DMH Housing Division at (202) 671-2900.

Consumer Advocacy

The Department recognizes that consumers must be active participates in their own treatment and supports programs that empower consumers.

Peer Specialist Training

Peer support is meant to enrich mental health services through the participation and expertise of people who share their experience with mental illness and journey to recovery. The Office of Consumer and Family Affairs works with consumer led partners to enhance the training and role of peer specialists. To learn more about peer specialists training opportunities, contact the Office of Consumer and Family Affairs at (202) 673-4377.

Peer Operated Services

• Ida Mae Campbell Wellness & Resource Center  
  The consumer led Ida Mae Campbell Wellness & Resource Center supports individuals receiving mental health services to take a more active role in their own recovery and to enhance their ability to participate fully in the community. It offers a range of peer supported activities including work enhancement skills and computer training, wellness/recovery workshops, and social interaction with peers. It also provides information about consumer legal rights and responsibilities and other community resources. The Center is open from Tuesday through Saturday. For more information, call (202) 684-7015.

• Consumer Education, Training and Advocacy 
  A number of consumer led, advocacy organizations help consumers and their families understand their illness and their rights. Further, they promote leadership and empowerment so consumers can be active participants in their own recovery and influence the mental health system.

The Office of Consumer and Family Affairs partners with the following organizations to provide education and training opportunities to support recovery and resiliency: