SAMHSA Unveils National Model Standards For Peer Support Certification

On June 6, 2023, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released national model standards for peer support certification to be used for peer workers providing assistance for people with addiction disorder, mental health disorders, or families/caregivers of a dependent with behavioral health challenges. Peer workers are individuals having lived experience with addiction and/or mental health disorders. The goal of the model standards is to accelerate universal adoption, recognition, and integration of the peer workforce across all elements of the health care system.

Peer workers provide non-clinical activities such as advocacy, navigation and linkage to . . .