EDS is a peer-operated community based recovery program for adults who
experience serious mental illness. EDS offers self-help and other recovery services that are planned, managed, and provided by peers in partnership with the members who attend the program. These mutual support and
facilitated services are an important component of the continuum of community mental health care provided for individuals experiencing severe and persistent mental illness. EDS offers members the opportunity to help
themselves while assisting others in a variety of life and recovery related needs, desires and goals.Two Key Components:
Self-selection and self-determination – Individuals who attend EDS do so through
self-selection; this important step in the recovery process is an act of self-determination that accounts for the value of the program.
Self-selection – Is the freedom for individuals to select and
choose from a variety of diverse and valued alternative recovery approaches that have been developed to serve persons who have not been reached or been successful with more traditional services.
Self-determination –
is the belief that you can make your own choices, learn to effectively solve problems, set and achieve goals, take control and responsibility for your life.
THE PURPOSE OF EDS
1. To promote hope in the
belief that all people with a psychiatric disorder can and do recover and have the right to a self-satisfying life.
2. To provide a safe and friendly recovery orientated environment where adults with mental illness
can refer themselves, learn about, and have access to EDS services and receive support from their peers.
3. To provide an atmosphere where people with common recovery and life experiences can express themselves freely
and be understood without judgement.
4. To focus on the strengths of the members rather than the illness.
5. To ensure a place where members have an equal voice in all matters that involve them and are viewed as
valued members of society.
6. To provide a program whose main focus is on mutual support, peer mentoring and is rich in resources and volunteer opportunities.
7. To provide a place with the necessary supports to
empower members to take control of their recovery.
8. To cultivate the ability of those they assist to make informed and independent choices.
9. To educate peers on the definition and dynamics of recovery.
10. To educate peers on the philosophy and value of psychosocial rehabilitation.
11. To provide on-going wellness support groups.
12. To provide on-going skill and goal orientated support groups.
13. To provide on-going social and recreational opportunities.
14. To provide a place where basic needs are met, i.e., phone, laundry room and food are available.
15. To provide program focus on skills teaching, support development and resource coordination.
16. To provide validation and to celebrate peer successes and victories.
17. To provide a place where community based
self-help support groups, peer groups and recovery based skill groups can meet on a regular basis and network.
18. To provide a place that is rich in community support and recovery resources.
19. To promote sense of
community, cultural sensitivity and equality by informing and educating society about mental illness and the stigma that encircles individuals with mental illness.
"As a Drop-In Center, our primary goal through
mutual support and peer mentoring is to empower members to take control of their own recovery, restore their lives devastated and challenged by mental illness and improve their overall wellness and quality of life."
