The East Texas Coalition for Mental Health Recovery (ETCMHR) launched in 2010 as a pilot program to build leadership in mental health, recovery and wellness, and to increase consumer and family involvement in the Texas mental health system. The program focused strategically on East Texas as an underserved region where the need for a network of consumer leaders in the mental health system is especially great.

An evaluation of the ETCMHR, jointly funded by the foundation and ETBHN, was conducted by Drs. Stephen Cooper and Freddie Avant of Stephen F. Austin University. Evaluation goals included capturing the recovery experiences of the consumers providing peer-to-peer services who participated in the first year ETCMHR trainings, as well as assessing the development of the coalition itself.

Background

The Hogg Foundation recognized the need to develop strong networks of consumers and peer specialists, providers and advocates who are skilled, knowledgeable and trained in recovery, wellness and consumer, youth and family involvement. ETCMHR’s grant-funded activities included quarterly meetings, peer specialist training and certification, educational opportunities, information sharing, Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP) certification, and participation in Alternatives, a national mental health conference organized by and for consumers. Many network members, made organizational changes in practice and policy, hired CPS and Recovery Coaches, WRAP facilitators, WHAM facilitators, Respect Institute graduates, and individuals with lived experience of recovery.

Questions: Contact Stephany Bryan, Program Officer and Consumer & Family Liaison