Community Inclusion and the Critical Role of Peers

Exciting new research suggests that increased community participation is related to improved physical, cognitive and mental health and wellbeing. This webinar will provide mental health peer specialists and their allies a foundational understanding of the relationship between community participation and recovery and wellbeing. It will also explore the key role that mental health peer specialists can play in supporting increased community participation. Learning Objectives: - Define the concepts of community integration, inclusion, and participation and their relationship to physical, cognitive and mental health and wellbeing; - Describe the ways which community exclusion occurs and impacts physical, cognitive, and mental health and wellbeing; - Discuss the evidence base that establishes the medical benefits and need for increased community participation for people with mental health challenges; - Identify the role and value of peer support in promoting community wellbeing through increased integration, inclusion, and participation.