Join us for a live webinar

When you are going through a tough time, it's helpful to have support from people who have been through the same experiences. Those people are your peers, and in the mental health space, peers can become Certified Peer Support Specialists. In honor of May is Mental Health Month, join us to learn about the experiences and roles of Certified Peer Support Specialists as they share their journeys as peer providers in mental health.

About the webinar:

Certified Peer Support Specialists self-identify as having been through the experience of recovery from a mental health disability and or a substance use disorder. Since California passed legislation to provide Medi-Cal Certification of Peer Support Specialists, many peers have studied for the certification exam and gained the opportunity to work in the field of mental health as a peer provider. 

For this webinar, Certified Peer Support Specialists will share their stories of recovery and their decision to become Peer Support Specialists. They will also talk about their experiences and challenges working alongside other mental health professionals in various settings. There will be time for questions to learn more about the Certified Peer Support Specialist trainings, exams and employment opportunities.

Speakers:

Katherine (Katy) Sommerfeld is first and foremost a person with lived experience of having mental health challenges and a proud Peer. She has worked in the Behavioral Health and Mental Health fields for over 15 years now. In addition to her lived expertise, Katy's pathway to becoming a Peer included receiving her BA in Theatre Arts and Masters in Psychological Studies. In 2022, she became one of the first California State Certified Peers through CalMHSA. She found this wonderful world of Peer Support in 2018 after relocating to Sacramento. She is a graduate of Cal Voices WISE U Program. Some of her favorite roles include being a Mother, performing in community musical theatre and being the former Office Administrator at California Association of Mental Health Peer Run Organizations, where she strengthened her knowledge and voice for advocacy and policy change. Currently she has returned to providing direct service in Sacramento County working with Sustainable Wellness Solutions (formerly Consumers Self Help Center). She is proud to work at the organization; it is one of only 2 Peer-Run Organizations in Sacramento. Katy would love to be a small part in ensuring that this new state certification and the Peer workforce expansion is in fact staying true to the fidelity of Peer Support and the Recovery Model and that our grassroots and profound history is not lost.

Octavio Ortega is a Certified Peer Support Specialist at Telecare Riverside County Psychiatric Health Facility in Indio, California. He has walked through the challenges of drug addiction and mental health struggles throughout his life, and he’s come out on the other side with a positive outcome. His lived experience has given him a deep understanding of what it’s like to feel lost but also what it takes to heal and grow. Now, Octavio uses that experience to support others who are on their own recovery journey. As a Peer, he has the privilege of sharing his story to inspire hope and remind people that positive change in life is possible. Helping others find their strength is not just a job for him, but his passion and purpose in life.

Jennifer Moua is a survivor of a suicide overdose. At 18, she experienced an overdose that led to her to being placed on life support. She lived with diagnoses of schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and type 2 diabetes. As an orphan, she also faces challenges with grief. In her leisure time, she loves journaling, listening to music, singing, dancing, cooking, travel, and drawing. She is happily married and works at CRP Viking at Turning Point. Jennifer’s job is incredibly fulfilling because she gets to witness clients demonstrating resilience and perseverance. She aims to encourage those who have a voice to speak up. She wants to raise awareness among those who hold stigmas about individuals facing mental challenges, highlighting that they are capable and valuable. As a Certified Peer Support Specialist, Jennifer takes pride in showing them that there is hope and that recovery is possible. Her lived experiences have shaped her ability to be in this role today