DATE/TIME: THURSDAY, OCT. 17, 1–5 P.M.
LOCATION: UA RISE Health & Wellness Center 1030 N. Alvernon Way, Tucson, 85711
The University of Arizona Department of Family and Community Medicine’s Camp Wellness and Workforce Development Program will celebrate “Global Peer Support Celebration Day” on Thursday, Oct. 17. The event takes place from 1–5 p.m., at the UA RISE Health & Wellness Center, 1030 N. Alvernon Way.
“Global Peer Support Celebration Day” is an annual celebration of peer supporters to recognize their work in helping their peers with mental health, addictions and/or trauma-related challenges, progress in their journey of recovery and inclusion into communities of their choosing. This annual worldwide event takes place each year on the third Thursday in October.
The event will offer peer supporters an afternoon of health and wellness activities.
Susan Junck, bureau chief from the Office of Individual and Family Affairs, will attend the event to celebrate the work that peer supporters provide, and will speak at the event’s closing ceremony.
“In Pima County and surrounding areas, peer supports work in diverse settings and employ a variety of support skills and services,” said Adria Powles, program manager of the Workforce Development Program. “This event is designed to give back to the peers and celebrate them for breaking down barriers and improving the quality of life for many of our community members.”
Peer support is an emerging “best-practice,” and has proven to be a cost-effective treatment for mental health, addiction and traumatic challenges. It reduces inpatient hospital days and recidivism rates, and in addition to increasing service recipients’ knowledge and competence regarding the use of less expensive and less restrictive community-based services, it helps them to develop and take advantage of free and natural social supports.
About the University of Arizona Department of Family and Community Medicine
The UA Department of Family and Community Medicine at the UA College of Medicine – Tucson is one of the nation’s top-ranked family medicine programs. The department is known for outstanding pre- and post-doctoral education, groundbreaking research and innovative community outreach programs designed to improve the health of individuals, families and communities in the region and beyond. The department places strong emphasis on research, particularly in the fields of tobacco cessation, substance abuse, obesity and related diseases, cancer survivorship, behavioral health, disabilities and Native American health. For more information, please visit fcm.arizona.edu