NYC Health + Hospitals Celebrates 100 Peer Academy Graduates  Expanding Behavioral Health Workforce

NYC Health + Hospitals announced it had graduated over 100 behavioral health peer counselors from its Peer Academy between the program launch in December 2021 and February 2025. The Peer Academy helps recruit and train New York City community members with lived experience of mental health or substance use issues to become state-certified peer counselors who can support behavioral health patients in hospitals and other settings.

Recognizing the pivotal role of peers within the system, NYC Health + Hospitals offers stipends to peers who successfully complete the three-month training program. Graduates often become full-time employees in the health system . . .