Modeled, in part, after the National Alternatives Conference, which was designed and implemented by people with lived experience, the Hogg Foundation organized and hosted its first PeerFest in 2016. Guided by a vision of creating an opportunity for people with lived experience of mental health challenges to connect with peers and live their best lives, the event was hugely successful and attracted over 330 attendees from around the state.

Unfortunately, as was the case with many public events during the pandemic, an anticipated 2020 PeerFest event had to be cancelled.

With its return in the spring of 2024, PeerFest had evolved and matured. While the foundation turned over 2016 event decision-making to a Planning Committee made up of individuals with lived experience, in 2024 the committee assumed greater responsibility for fundraising, budgeting, marketing, registration, programming, venue logistics, and more.

PeerFest is the only event of its kind in Texas, and one of only four in-person events in the nation with wellness for individuals with lived mental health experience at its core. In addition, there is no similar project in the nation in which the funder has handed over event decision-making and budgeting to an external group of individuals with lived mental health experience.

PeerFest’s unique programming is central to its success. With an emphasis on self-care and wellness, it differs from traditional conferences that focus primarily on education.

While a full agenda of educational sessions is scheduled, attendees are equally encouraged to enjoy the recreational setting, connect with others, play, rest, and relax. A talent show, game night, magician’s performance, glow-in-the-dark dance, and space for creative expression through the arts are among the novel experiences available.

Programming is scheduled from the early morning hours into the night to accommodate individuals’ varying “body clocks” and workshop formats are designed to appeal to a variety of learning styles. For example, the Listen and Learn series provides seminar-style presentations on wellness topics while the Learn by Doing series offers participants hands-on opportunities to experience wellness tools and skills. The Play and Connect series serves as a reminder that play is not only allowed, but encouraged as an avenue to increase wellness and connect with peers. Finally, a Zen Den provides an environment for relaxation and support for individuals seeking respite, solace, and a space to reset.

Shari Stovall, an Advanced Level Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) Facilitator, also sits on the 14-member Planning Committee. While she brings many years of event planning expertise to the committee, it is sharing her experience as a peer in the mental health community that makes her impact especially meaningful to her.

“I believe that I bring empathy to the Planning Committee,” says Shari. “I’m able to plan the event through the eyes of my lived experience.”

Also an experienced event planner, committee member Nicholas Holstein contributes creative expertise as well. Outside of PeerFest, Nicholas is executive director of HUG ME Ink, a nonprofit organization that educates and advocates for mental health awareness and bullying prevention through the arts.

“I want to make sure the arts are alive and well at PeerFest,” says Nicholas. “I’ve seen the arts get lost at other mental health related conferences. With the Creativity Space, Peers Got Talent, and the new We Glow Together Dance, we have great opportunities for our peers to express themselves.”

In the years ahead, PeerFest will continue to grow and mature as a uniquely impactful event planned by and for people of Texas with lived mental health experience.

“We’ll learn how to better communicate with all stakeholders: attendees, session speakers, exhibitors, community centers, sponsors, venue managers, and more,” says Shari. “I would also like to see PeerFest grow in number of attendees and in number and diversity of sessions.”

Nicholas is hoping to expand the accessibility and impact of future events as well.

“I would like PeerFest not to have a cost for anyone to attend. If there is a cost, hopefully it will be very minimal, so financial limitations won’t keep people from coming,” he says. “And because our youth are our future, I would like to see a PeerFest for Youth as a way to begin training and empowering our youth to take over for us in the long run.”

Anticipation is already growing for PeerFest 2026, and the Planning Committee will soon meet to reflect on the successes, challenges, and lessons learned in 2024. 

“PeerFest has become a signature event for the Hogg Foundation, reflecting our mission to transform how communities promote mental health in everyday life,” says Tammy. “It’s a very special event and a powerful way to build on the growing momentum to prioritize peer support, leadership, and voices of those with lived experience in the mental health recovery model,” says Tammy.

• A Joyful Noise: PeerFest
• Into the Fold, Episode 77: Consumer Voice
• 3 Things to Know: Recovery
• Texas Recovery Movement
• Mental Health Policy Fellows and Policy Academy
• $2 Million Awarded to Train Mental Health Policy Fellows in Texas