#073- The field of peer support has grown in many mental health and substance abuse treatment systems. Peers draw upon their own life experiences, like mental health and substance use concerns, distress, poverty, and oppression, on the one hand, and experiences of recovery and resilience, on the other.¹ These experiences have led them to have a body of knowledge that is extremely useful to clients in situations that the peers themselves have experienced. The fact that they have had these experiences means that they are able to understand clients in a way that is real and empathetic enabling meaningful connections with clients.¹ Today, I interview Jim Klasen, Certified Older Adult Certified Peer Specialist, who shares his personal experiences with mental health and substance use recovery and ways in which he is using his lived experience to help others: Here's a peek into the episode with Jim Klasen: Jim shares about his own history of mental health and substance use concernsWhat recovery means to JimJim defines the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP)Jim's process of becoming a Certified Older Adult Peer SpecialistHow Jim worked to repair relationships with his (adult) childrenRecommendations for older adults struggling with their own mental health concernsThe role of music in Jim's healing process. Click here to visit the show notes page for all the resources mentioned in today's episode: Older Adult / Family? Download the Memory Loss & Mental Health Guide Professional? Grab the Mental Health Professional’s Guide to Working with Older Adults Help others find this show by subscribing and leaving a review wherever you listen to the podcast, or here on i-tunes. Are you a licensed therapist, psychiatrist, or neuropsychologist who specializes with older adults? Join me in building the ONLY geriatric mental health provider directory in the nation. For a limited time, you can claim your profile here for FREE with the code: fullaccesspass (all lower case). Hurry! This offer is only valid for the first 100 profiles.