Peer support programs are expanding across fire departments, jails, unions, and community organizations to help people in crisis recover from trauma, addiction, and repeat offenses. From peer support dogs in fire departments to peer navigators in jails and clinician-led advocates in correctional settings, communities are systematizing human connection as a mental health intervention.
·Wisconsin laborers union launches LEAN program to support members facing adversity and substance abuse
·Peer support dog joins Laguna Beach fire department; first responders nationwide use peer connection to process traumatic incidents
·Jail peer navigator and peer advocate programs target repeat offenders and incarcerated individuals in Boone and Broome counties
·Peer support infrastructure expanding in corrections, emergency services, and union settings as evidence-based recovery tool
drawn from FireRescue1, WisPolitics, Los Angeles Times, KRCG · updated 2h ago