Veteran Peer Specialist, Virginia Veteran and Family Support

A Veteran Peer Specialist is a person with a mental health and/or co-occurring condition, actively engaged in his or her own recovery, who has been trained and certified to help others with these conditions, identify and achieve specific life and recovery goals.



Peer Specialists serve as role models by sharing their personal recovery stories, showing that recovery from mental illness is possible. They teach goal setting, problem solving, symptom management skills and a variety of recovery tools. They empower by helping others identify their strengths, supports, resources and skills. They advocate by working to eliminate the stigma of mental illness and  act as community liaisons by identifying social supports in the community and encouraging the expansion of local community resources.



Regional coalitions of community services boards, brain injury services providers, and other public and private service providers are offering services across the Commonwealth. These coalitions will enhance the existing array of services in their communities based on an ongoing assessment of local needs.



Following are examples of the services that may be available through these networks of public and private providers:

• Comprehensive and timely assessment;
• Case management;
• Outpatient treatment;
• Outreach activities;
• Rehabilitative services;
• Family support;
• Linkage to benefits services, housing, employment and educational programs.

Alternate Emergency Services Telephone Numbers:

Brunswick County: 434-848-4121;

Mecklenburg County: 434-738-0154.