Grief in Peer Work: We Don’t Talk Enough About It
Information
Date & Time
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Learning Objectives
Participants will be able to:
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Describe the stages of grief and the various emotions that accompany loss.
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Identify practical tools for both personal use and in supporting others who are grieving.
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Explain how to foster a supportive environment where individuals feel comfortable sharing their experiences and emotions related to loss.
Educational Goal
The educational goal of this workshop is to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of grief, exploring its emotional, psychological, and physical aspects. It aims to equip attendees with practical tools for coping with grief, whether they are experiencing it personally or supporting someone grieving. Participants will gain a deeper awareness of the grieving process and the importance of self-care and community support.
Description
Understanding grief is crucial for peer support specialists, as they often work with individuals who are navigating the complex emotions and challenges that accompany loss. Peer providers also experience grief in their personal life and their professional life. This presentation will focus on the complex experiences of grief throughout peer work. We will explore the stages of grief, how different communities honor loss in their lives, what techniques or skills could be useful in processing grief, and how to support oneself in the hard work that many in the peer provider profession experience.
SAMHSA Core Competencies for Peer Workers in Behavioral Health Services:
Category 1: Engages peers in collaborative and caring relationships
Category 2: Provides support
Category 6: Links to resources, services, and supports
Category 7: Provides information about skills related to health, wellness, and recovery
Category 8: Helps peers to manage crises
Target Audience
- Peer Support Specialist
Presenters
Tanya Kraege is the Director of Peer Services at Safe Communities MDC. Tanya works alongside people experiencing substance use, birthing folx using substances during pregnancy, trauma, relationships, formerly incarcerated, and mental health experiences. Tanya has been a part of mental health and substance use work for 15 years. Currently, she oversees programs that use Recovery Coaches and Certified Peer Specialists who work in various environments in Dane County, Rock County, and Jefferson County in Wisconsin to support people with substance use and mental health experiences and their loved ones. Over the years in this role, she launched the Preg2recovery Program, Jail2Recovery Program, Treatment Court2Recovery, and several other programs. Tanya consults around the Country regarding anti-stigma work and peer provider programs. Tanya played a role in the Health Care Task Force on Safe Opioid Prescribing by participating in the academic detailing program for working with clinicians on co-prescribing Naloxone with opioid prescription medications and anti-stigma work for birthing people. In addition to being a Clinical Social Worker, Clinical Substance Abuse Counselor, and community advocate, Tanya is a mom, a person with lived experience, and active in the recovery community. Tanya is also a Recovery Coach, Recovery Coach Trainer, and Certified Peer Specialist Trainer, using her story of addiction and recovery to help others gain hope and insight into new ways of living.