When it comes to accessing various mental health resources, there are a lot of different hotlines and phone numbers available. That includes the Peer Support Line. Sweetser says they fielded over 26,000 peer support line calls last year alone. Sweetser’s Director of Recovery Services, Michael Tausek, who is also a Coast Guard veteran, joined Maine’s Total Coverage on Friday.He said the Peer Support Line used to be known as the Intentional Warm Line, but the name was recently changed to better define its purpose for the public. The Peer Support Line is available toll-free at 866-771-9276 any time of day. It is a mental health peer-to-peer phone support line for adults aged 18 and older, offering mutual conversations with a trained peer specialist who has life experience with mental health recovery. Tausek said the focus is to encourage and foster recovery, moving toward wellness and reconnecting with the community. This is also the number to call for those who aren’t in crisis but need someone to talk to.He said it is very important to have someone on the other end of that line who has gone through mental health challenges of their own. The conversations become more authentic and, from it, can create more of a connection and foster relationship building.Tausek said the average call is around 20 minutes, so these aren’t quick conversations and off to the next one. He said this is about really listening to, understanding, and helping support those who need a trained ear.The Office of Behavioral Health at DHHS oversees the training and certification for Peer Support Specialists, including those who answer the Peer Support Line. It has a trauma-informed curriculum and assists individuals with how best to handle both situations and phone conversations with those with various mental health challenges.Tausek said he has staff members who have been working these phone lines for many years. He said they all say the same thing: the reason they do this work is the opportunity to really make a difference in someone’s life. He said they go home every day knowing they helped someone who is just like them.
When it comes to accessing various mental health resources, there are a lot of different hotlines and phone numbers available. That includes the Peer Support Line. Sweetser says they fielded over 26,000 peer support line calls last year alone.
Sweetser’s Director of Recovery Services, Michael Tausek, who is also a Coast Guard veteran, joined Maine’s Total Coverage on Friday.
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He said the Peer Support Line used to be known as the Intentional Warm Line, but the name was recently changed to better define its purpose for the public.
The Peer Support Line is available toll-free at 866-771-9276 any time of day. It is a mental health peer-to-peer phone support line for adults aged 18 and older, offering mutual conversations with a trained peer specialist who has life experience with mental health recovery.
Tausek said the focus is to encourage and foster recovery, moving toward wellness and reconnecting with the community. This is also the number to call for those who aren’t in crisis but need someone to talk to.
He said it is very important to have someone on the other end of that line who has gone through mental health challenges of their own. The conversations become more authentic and, from it, can create more of a connection and foster relationship building.
Tausek said the average call is around 20 minutes, so these aren’t quick conversations and off to the next one. He said this is about really listening to, understanding, and helping support those who need a trained ear.
The Office of Behavioral Health at DHHS oversees the training and certification for Peer Support Specialists, including those who answer the Peer Support Line. It has a trauma-informed curriculum and assists individuals with how best to handle both situations and phone conversations with those with various mental health challenges.
Tausek said he has staff members who have been working these phone lines for many years. He said they all say the same thing: the reason they do this work is the opportunity to really make a difference in someone’s life. He said they go home every day knowing they helped someone who is just like them.