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Peer Advocacy

When a patient is admitted to the Behavioral Health Service Unit at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, the Peer Advocacy program is there to help.

We understand this is an important transitional time in the patients' lives, and that there are many decisions to make. We provide trained Peer Advocates who can work with the patients, the patients' family members, and other outside sources to provide reassurance, while keeping patients informed about beneficial services available to them.

Peer Advocates provide assistance in the mental health services planning process. They are available to assist patients in becoming participants in their own recovery.

 

  
What is an advocate?

An advocate is a person who represents someone else's interests or needs. The advocate's job is to achieve as much as possible for the client to benefit from, according to what the client is legally entitled to.

  

 

The Role of a Peer Advocate

Our peer advocates provide an outreach program for recipients of mental health services in the community and for patients receiving treatment at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, in the Behavioral Health Service Unit.

Peer-Linkage Advocates work with the patients, family members and outside sources, providing reassurance and notifying patients of all available services.

It is the goal of the Peer Advocates to see that each patient has access to the best and most suitable resources.

 

Information & Resources Available Include:

  • Self-help
  • Social Clubs
  • Legal Rights as a Psychiatric Patient Information
  • Self-help groups
  • Reassurance in the hospital setting
  • Encouragement
  • Referrals to community services and programs
  • A positive, supportive atmosphere

 

Peer Advocates:

  • Work with people who have psychiatric diagnoses
  • Work with friends and family members helping them to understand the process in the hospital
  • Provide reassurance for patients and their families
  • Keep clients informed about all available services
  • Make sure that the client will receive the best services and care available

 

Peer Advocates are limited to helping admitted patients at NFMMC only. However, if an individual needs advocacy outside of the hospital they can visit our Peer Specialist Services page, to see what other programs or information might be available to them.







Click to download our Peer Advocacy brochure

Contact:
For more information about the Peer Advocacy Program at NFMMC, please contact Crystal Hites at 716.433.3780 ext. 311 or chites@mhanc.com.

The Peer Advocates can be contacted directly by calling 716.278.4748

 

Work Opportunity:
Being a Peer Advocate is a paid position. If you are interested in becoming a Peer Advocate, resume submission is required. Upon acceptance into the program, training is provided. Please contact our Director of Consumer Services, Crystal Hites (contact info above).

 




















MHA: The Information and Referral Specialists
Mental Health Association of Niagara County
36 Pine Street
Lockport, New York 14094
Phone: 716-433-3780
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