|
WORKING
TOGETHER
FOR
HEALTHIER
MINDS
140 North Elm Street
Butler, PA 16001
(724) 287-1965
1-888-329-0468
Fax #:
(724) 287-7090
Email:
MHA007@aol.com
| |
BACK
FORWARD
| All of us know that occasionally
someone touches our lives, befriends us, and cares about our well- |
| being without expecting anything in return. The
happiness that friendship can bring does much to |
| encourage us to believe in ourselves; in fact it promotes
good mental health. The
COMPEER Program |
| understands how valuable friendship is for people who are
recovering from a mental illness. Our |
| program matches people with emotional or mental problems on
a one-to-one basis. COMPEER is |
| looking for volunteers who are caring people to befriend
some on with an illness. Volunteers can |
| provide the comfort and reassurance need to win the fight
against mental illness, "the loneliest illness |
| in the world." |
| |
COMPEER AND THE VOLUNTEER
COMPEER Volunteers . . .
COMPEER AND THE MENTAL
HEALTH CLIENT
Mental Health Clients . . .
|
Are arranged by their therapist or
intensive case manager |
| |
|
Generally, show increases in their
senses pf security, self-esteem, positive risk taking (such as |
| education and employment
training), communication skills, social skills, interpersonal |
| relationships, and
independence |
| |
|
Experience decreased psychiatric
hospitalization rates, and use of emergency services |
| |
|
Find it easier to comply with
treatment plans and medication requirements |
| |
|
Enjoy visits with their COMPEER friends, as well as, phone calls and
e-mails |
COMPEER . . . FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
| |
| 1.) What are the full responsibilities if I volunteer?
|
| |
| ANSWER: Volunteers agree to
spend about four hours a month with their COMPEER Friends.
|
| Very often, as relationships bloom into full
friendships, more time is spent, but this is a decision |
| made between friends. Additionally, the volunteer
completes a short monthly report about the |
| time spent meeting with their friend. |
| |
| 2.) Do I, as the volunteer, have to bear the financial cost of
activities? |
| |
| ANSWER: No, each of you pays for
your self. |
| |
| 3.) What if we don't get along? |
| ANSWER: While this is rare, if
either party doesn't feel that things are working out, despite |
| support from the
COMPEER affiliates, a change in friends can be requested. |
| |
| 4.) What kind of activities can we participate in together? |
| |
| ANSWER: That
depends entirely on the types of things that you both enjoy, since matches
are |
| made based on shared interests. Activities are
limited only by the imagination! Have coffee or tea |
| together; go to a movie or for a walk. In
addition, COMPEER affiliates often plan group activities, |
| such as picnics, annuals dinners, ball games, etc. |
| |
| The COMPEER Program is a volunteer effort which is socially
beneficial to others and personally |
| satisfying to yourself. The appreciation of a friend
is expressed in words and actions in many special |
| ways. Friendship is truly a priceless treasure! |
JOIN
US . . . YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
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 |
Please contact Elaine Callihan,
COMPEER Program/Volunteer
Coordinator
at (724) 287-1965 Ext. 228
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|
