All Somethings Mentors are Certified Peer Specialists. A certified peer specialist (CPS) is someone who uses their personal experience with mental health, and/or managing substance-use, to support others on their own recovery journeys. Certified Peer Specialists play a unique and invaluable role within the mental and behavioral health ecosystem by offering empathy, guidance, and insight drawn from firsthand experience.

Certified peer specialists are trained and certified by each state to provide support that promotes recovery and wellness. A peer specialists own lived experience with managing mental health symptoms allows them to build connections rooted in shared understanding, making it easier for teens to feel seen and heard. This peer-to-peer approach can foster hope and empower those facing similar struggles to take meaningful steps toward improvement and resilience.

Peer specialists work in a variety of settings, including community centers, hospitals, clinics, and peer-run organizations. They collaborate with other healthcare professionals to provide holistic care while maintaining a focus on peer support principles: mutuality, trust, and respect.

Somethings was created because we saw how deeply teens resonated with certified peer specialists and how much more teens engaged with peers during their care journey.

Becoming a certified peer specialist typically involves completing a 40+ hour training course, passing a state run test, and applying for a credential through a state run certification body. This process equips peer specialists with effective communication strategies, understanding recovery principles, and developing skills to manage crises and provide resourceful support.

At Somethings, our Mentors come from all over the U.S. and thus hold different Peer Specialist Certifications. Here is a list of all of the states where we have a mentor who is certificated along with links to that specific state’s certification body.

• New York

• California

• North Dakota

If you have questions or want to learn more about Certified Peer Specialists, please reach out to our team at hello@somethings.com or book a time below