NJAMHAA-70th-anniversary-publication

58 supervisory and other leadership positions. Students gain excellent training and develop a lifelong network of professional relationships through their participation in the program: the experience is truly transformative,” Dr. Deglau said. In addition, NJAMHAA members and staff have been guest presenters at some of the SSW’s classes over the years. “NJAMHAA also helps me know what is going on in the field – important information that I think would otherwise be impossible for me to obtain. I share this information with my students. It brings reality into the classroom,” Dr. Deglau added. Supporting Peers and Everyone’s Wellness and Recovery “During the past 25 years, the New Jersey mental health and addiction service industry has slowly and steadily become more person centered, and recov- ery and wellness focused, and embraced the peer provider workforce. This has resulted in effective prevention, treatment and support programs avail- able for numerous New Jersey citizens, helping them to live a better quality of life so they can realize their full potential and become contributing members of society. I strongly believe that NJAMHAA has played a significant lead role in this historic transformation, and I thank the leadership for being proactive in effecting this change,” Dr. Swarbrick said. “I applaud and thank NJAMHAA for its consistent fo- cus on disseminating resources and creating forums to show providers how and why person-centered, wellness and recovery focused treatment, support and prevention programs work,” she added. In fact, Dr. Swarbrick created the Eight Dimensions of Well- ness model based on her personal experience, and it has been adopted by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and pro- viders throughout the nation. “Treatment must have a whole-person approach. This model engages people to take personal respon- sibility. My education in occupational therapy helped me to operationalize this in my work, and I evolved the model through working in a peer program,” Dr. Swarbrick said. “Peggy’s work helped shape NJAMHAA’s policy di- rection. Everyone can relate to and adopt the Eight Dimensions of Wellness model. It helps frame how people think about prevention, mental health and addiction recovery and well-being and it is huge in fighting stigma and discrimination,” Dr. Wentz said. “There’s been much progress in the expansion of peer support specialist roles and ensuring the workforce is trained to effectively work with people served. Stigma still exists, even in the system. NJAMHAA plays a role in changing this,” Dr. Swarbrick stated. “NJAMHAA partners with people in recovery, particularly supporting integration of the peer provider role in the mental health and substance use prevention, treatment and recovery support service delivery system. A big marker is NJAMHAA’s Outstanding Peer Provider Award.” Saving Lives through Suicide Prevention Education NJAMHAA learned about Attitudes In Reverse (AIR) from an AIR Board member at a conference in 2012, who asked for AIR’s annual event to be promoted to NJAMHAA members. Intrigued by AIR, Shauna Moses, NJAMHAA’s Vice President of Public Affairs and Member Services, interviewed Tricia and Kurt Baker, Co-Founders of AIR, for a “The New Jersey mental health and addiction service industry has become more recovery and wellness focused, and embraced the peer provider workforce. NJAMHAA has played a significant lead role in this historic transformation.” – Peggy Swarbrick, Rutgers University and Collaborative Support Programs of NJ