Peer programs have been gaining recognition in recent years for their proven effectiveness in reducing the need for more intensive and costly treatment services, such as hospitalization. Sweetser's Learning & Recovery Center in Brunswick serves adults who are recovering from the effects of trauma, mental illness and substance abuse.

 

Peer Support Services include the sharing of personal stories of one’s recovery journey offered to another person who is attempting to make his or her own journey of recovery. Services offer guidance through the experience of mutually supportive relationships with another individual who has been working on their own recovery.

 

Once a consumer has participated in the orientation for Sweetser’s Learning & Recovery Center in Brunswick, he or she has the option to stay in a respite bed over night at the center if needed, and/or have a discussion with a peer support specialist during a crisis event.

 

Peer Support Services are critical to a consumer’s ability to achieve a productive and fulfilling life in the community of his or her choice despite a mental health disability.

 

 

The Learning & Recovery Center hosts Maine's only Peer Crisis Respite Overnight Program. Using an intentional peer support model based on the work of Shery Mead, Sweetser's Peer Services offer mutual support for people recovering from mental illness, substance abuse or a history of trauma. Crisis Respite includes a short-term stay at the Learning & Recovery Center in Brunswick, recovery groups, art groups, complementary therapies and self-directed learning.

Peer Crisis Respite challenges us to move forward through our crisis, allowing ourselves to be vulnerable, feel strong emotions and consider those times an opportunity to grow and change.

 

 

At the Learning & Recovery Center, we challenge participants to do something different. That may mean opening oneself up to the possibility of making a new friend, expressing oneself through art, writing or other expressive mediums. Through art, movement therapies, support groups and educational resources, the center aims to empower individuals with opportunities for transformation. When you enter the Learning & Recovery Center, it may not be immediately clear who the employees are and who the participants are. This is by design. We come here as equals and everyone participates as teacher and learner.