Peer Support

MHA offers a variety of supportive and educational opportunities for adults with mental illnesses (consumers.) These opportunities include a Peer Match Program (MAPTC), a consumer art project, WRAP, our NEW Peer Supported Employment program, and other education and advocacy programs. The Peer Support programs are mental health consumer designed and run.

The Peer Match Program (MAPTC) matches consumers who live in Tarrant County into pairs with the goal of increasing social support and friendship. Volunteers who are not consumers are welcome to participate in every aspect of the program. Peers in the program may be anyone in the community, especially mental health consumers, who are able to provide encouragement and support for another person who is recovering from mental illness. The program requires about 2 hours per week of each peer’s time and a minimum of a one year commitment. Peers are expected to have about 1 hour per week of contact with each other and to participate in other program activities such as dinner out, field trips, and other social get-togethers. Opportunities for consumers with MAPTC include one-on-one friendships (matches), group activities, advisory committee participation, activity planning, fundraising, volunteer work at MHA, and a telephone support network (coming soon). Peers are welcome to participate at any level of the program including participating in activities without having a match.

The Consumer Art Project exhibits a myriad of artwork by consumers at MHA. Most of the art is for sale at prices determined by the artists, with all proceeds going to the artists. All art submitted for exhibit or sale must go through a committee approval process. Contact MHA for help in submitting art or drop by to view the excellent works on display.

All artwork on this page is by MHATC consumers.

WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Planning) is a FREE 15-21 hour course developed by Mary Ellen Copeland, MS, of Vermont. The class is taught by fellow consumers and covers three primary areas: building a support system; wellness tools such as diet, creative expression, sleep, and light; and recognizing when we’re not doing so well including triggers and what to do to regain control over our situations. The WRAP Program is a structured system for monitoring uncomfortable and distressing symptoms and reducing, modifying, or eliminating those symptoms. It also includes plans for responses from others when symptoms have made it impossible for us to continue to make decisions, take care of ourselves, and keep ourselves safe. Participants who complete all 15-21 hours of the course receive a certificate and are eligible to continue on to WRAP 2. WRAP 2 is a series of 2 hour intensive classes on topics such as personal boundaries, developing a sense of purpose in life, building self-esteem, and changing negative thoughts into positive thoughts. Also part of the WRAP program is WRAP support groups. Consumers at any level of involvement in the WRAP program are welcome to participate in the support groups. The entire WRAP program is firmly based in the 5 recovery concepts of hope, personal responsibility, self advocacy, support, and education. WRAP 1 is offered approximately every other month at various times and days of the week. WRAP 2 is offered annually, usually in the summer.

Please contact us for information on any Peer Support Programs. Our Peer Support Program continues to grow at a tremendous rate. We welcome all consumers of the mental health system to participate and look forward to the future of these programs with excitement!