Hi everyone,

I want to welcome you to The Peer Connection sponsored by the Peer Self-Advocacy Program at Disability Rights California! This is an open forum for peers and people with lived experience with mental health disabilities* to communicate with other peers via a group listserv throughout the state.

* The Peer Connection is exclusively for peers and people with lived experience with mental health disabilities who have received or are receiving mental health services.

While there are many peer organizations and peer services in different California counties, many of us feel isolated and out of touch with one another. The Peer Connection is an online gathering place to share ideas, provide support and connect us with information, resources and referrals to services.

We want to bring us all together by providing an “information highway” and opportunity for all of us to:

• Announce upcoming events (such as trainings, conferences, mental health committee meetings, community engagement, advocacy and peer support opportunities)
• Discuss hot topics, issues and current events related to peers
• Request and participate in peer-related trainings on topics of our choice (including self-advocacy skills and disability rights)
• Provide and receive information, resources and links to up-to-date research, articles and legislation related to peers and mental health

The Peer Connection is a powerful online tool to:

• Learn about our rights
• Exchange self-advocacy strategies and skills
• Elevate our voice as peers
• Mobilize as a team to advocate for causes that support and value us as peers in California and beyond

If you have any questions or want more information, feel free to contact Robyn Gantsweg at robyn.gantsweg@disabilityrightsca.org.

Please spread the word if you know of anyone else who might be interested in joining! We look forward to meeting and connecting with all of you!

If you’re interested in being part of The Peer Connection online forum and email list, please fill out the registration form below: