PeerGalaxy Original Calendar
Welcome to PeerGalaxy Calendar featuring over 336,800+ monthly offerings of FREE telephone- and online-accessible peer support, recovery support, and wellness activities! Plus 50+ warmlines, helplines, chatlines, and hotlines. Plus workshops, webinars, job postings, resources, observances, special events, consumer input opportunities and more.
WE ARE PEER FOR YOU!
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If you have an event to add, email us: [email protected]
Training Opportunities in July 2020
List Provided Courtesy of State of Oregon, Oregon Health Authority
Click here to download PDF Format, 16 pages
Calendar Event Sorting
At the top, the 24/7/365 SAMHSA Disaster Helpline and similar links.
Next, Bundled “All Day” Events
Some organizations (like 12 step recovery programs, AA, NA, AlAnon, etc.) have so many events happening throughout the day that they need to be in a bundled listing to spare endless scrolling. Often there is a link to look up events by zip code and other criteria.
Lastly, Time-Specific Events
So you can see what’s happening in the next hours, time specific events are tagged and listed by start time from 12:01am early morning to 11:59pm late night. There can be events and warmlines operating in different time zones, though we try to list all in Oregon’s Pacific Time Zone.
Page Advancement
The calendar displays ~50 listings per page. To advance to next page with ~50 more listings, click the right arrow in the lower left corner of the calendar
If you need to talk, the 988 Lifeline is here.
At the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, we understand that life’s challenges can sometimes be difficult. Whether you’re facing mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or just need someone to talk to, our caring counselors are here for you. You are not alone.
What to Expect
Calling the 988 Lifeline
Here is what you can expect when making a call to the 988 Lifeline.
Step 1 of 5
First, you’ll hear a message that gives you service selection options.
Listen to the pre-recorded message (mp3).
Step 2 of 5
We’ll play some hold music while you are connected to a counselor with our Spanish-language, LGBTQI+ services, or your local 988 Lifeline contact center. For veterans, the phone will ring until a counselor can answer your call.
Step 3 of 5
A counselor will say hello and introduce themselves.
Step 4 of 5
Your skilled counselor will ask you if you are safe.
Step 5 of 5
After they ask about your safety, your counselor will listen to you, understand how your problem is affecting you, provide support, and share any resources that may be helpful.
Chatting with the 988 Lifeline
Here is what you can expect when starting a chat with the 988 Lifeline.
Step 1 of 6
After clicking “Chat With Us,” a new window with a brief survey will open. This survey helps our counselors understand how to best support you and takes less than 5 minutes to complete.
Step 2 of 6
When you click “Start a Chat”, you are accepting our Terms of Service.
Step 3 of 6
You will then see a screen that indicates we are connecting you to a counselor.
Step 4 of 6
A counselor will say hello and introduce themselves.
Step 5 of 6
Your skilled counselor will ask if you are safe.
Step 6 of 6
After they ask about your safety, they will be calm and comforting, listen to you, and provide support. They may also share helpful resources.
Texting with the 988 Lifeline
Here is what you can expect when texting the 988 Lifeline.
Step 1 of 7
When you send a text to 988, you will be given options to connect with a counselor from the Veterans, Spanish-language, LGBTQI+ service, or the main 988 Lifeline.
Step 2 of 7
When you text “next” you will be accepting our Terms of Service.
Step 3 of 7
You will then need to complete a brief survey to help your counselor understand how they can best support you.
Step 4 of 7
You’ll receive a “wait” message with optional questions while we connect you to a counselor.
Step 5 of 7
Your counselor will say hello and introduce themselves.
Step 6 of 7
Your skilled counselor will ask if you are safe.
Step 7 of 7
After they ask about your safety, they will be calm and comforting, listen to you, and provide support. They may also share helpful resources.
Specific LGBTQ+ Support for Young Adults was Removed from 988 Lifeline
988 will still take calls; additional resources below.
Effective July 17, 2025
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is removing the “Press 3” option that connected LGBTQ+ youth to specialized, affirming counselors.
This change is the result of a federal budget cuts which eliminated funding for LGBTQ-specific services. General 988 support remains available, but LGBTQ+ youth will no longer have direct access to trained LGBTQ+ crisis counselors.
988 will still answer calls from everyone, but it will no longer offer identity-specific crisis support.
Alternatives for LGBTQ+ Youth in Crisis
-
The Trevor Project
Crisis support for LGBTQ+ youth (24/7)
Call: 1-866-488-7386
Text: START to 678678
Chat: thetrevorproject.org
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Trans Lifeline
Peer-led crisis support for trans people (no non-consensual rescue)
Call: 877-565-8860
Website: translifeline.org
-
Q Chat Space
Live-chat support groups for LGBTQ+ youth (ages 13–19)
Website: qchatspace.org
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LGBT National Youth Talkline
Confidential peer support (ages 25 & under)
Call: 1-800-246-7743
Website: lgbthotline.org
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BlackLine
Peer support line prioritizing BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities
Call: 1-800-604-5841
Website: callblackline.com
-
StrongHearts Native Helpline
Support for Native LGBTQ+ individuals experiencing crisis or abuse
Call or Text: 1-844-762-8483
Website: strongheartshelpline.org
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Rainbow Youth Project USA
Mental health crisis support and advocacy for LGBTQ+ youth
Call: 1-317-643-4888
Website: rainbowyouthproject.org
Disclaimer: We do not provide emergency services. This information is provided solely as a courtesy without warranty or guarantee of any kind whatsoever.
LAURA VAN TOSH TO HEADLINE PEERPOCALYPSE 2026
We are so excited to announce Laura Van Tosh will be joining us as a keynote speaker on Wednesday, May 6 at Peerpocalypse!
More in-person tickets to be released very soon!
Laura Van Tosh is a peer leader who has held influential policy roles across the country. For more than 40 years, she has been a leader in psychiatric survivor movements. Here work is grounded not only in policy work, but in lived experience.
At 17, Laura was involuntarily committed for the first time. She navigated a system that restrained her, medicated her, and offered little hope. She turned her experience into a lifetime of action: organizing street outreach programs for unhoused individuals, testifying before Congress, working on national homelessness policy, and serving as a Consumer Affairs Director at state hospitals where she fought to eliminate seclusion and restraint practices.
One of her proudest contributions was her advocacy work around the landmark 1999 Olmstead Supreme Court decision, the ruling that declared the institutionalization of people with disabilities as a form of unlawful discrimination. Laura wrote and educated nationally on why that ruling mattered, and helped bring peer voices to the forefront of that conversation.
Today, Laura is working alongside a new generation of advocates to push for non-coercive crisis response, racial inclusion, and systemic change in behavioral health.
We cannot wait for you to hear her speak.
TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
P.S. Laura’s closing words in this interview say it all: her life’s work has always been about freedom. “It’s not that people get well, it’s that the best place to recover is in the community… My goal has always been about that, it has always been about freedom of people, not just free from shackles, but freedom to create your own life.” Come hear her tell that story herself. Register for Peerpocalypse today.
At this time, remaining in-person tickets are being held for scholarship applicants who may need to purchase a ticket if they are not selected. More in-person tickets will be released in mid-March.
If you’d like to be notified when in-person tickets are re-released, please add your name to the waitlist interest form here.
Peerpocalypse 2026 will take place May 4-7 in Seaside, Oregon and online. All workshops and evening events will be accessible virtually through our event app, Whova. Virtual tickets are available here.
This year includes:
+ 45 workshops and a 4-part Ethics series
+ 4 keynote meals
+ Access to workshop and keynote recordings for one month after the conference and the opportunity to earn additional CEU credits by watching workshops you may have missed
PEERPOCALYPSE
MAY 4th – 7th , 2026
Register for Peerpocalypse 2026!
USE THIS LINK FOR PEERPOCALYPSE TICKETS
Join us from May 4th to May 7th, 2026 for an action-packed four-day conference dedicated to peer support, wellness, and community. Whether you’re a peer support specialist, someone with lived experience in mental illness or addiction, or an ally, Peerpocalypse welcomes you. With activities, gatherings, and dozens of workshops led by experts in the peer support field, Peerpocalypse is the perfect opportunity to deepen your knowledge, gain new skills, and connect with others in the peer movement. This event is ideal for peer support professionals looking to complete CEUs, as well as anyone interested in expanding their understanding of peer wellness. It’s also a unique opportunity to meet and network with other peers, learn from leading experts, and be part of a community dedicated to advancing the peer movement. All attendees will have access to workshop recordings for 30 days following the event to continue learning at their own pace.
If you are from an organization and are looking to send multiple people, email us at [email protected] to reserve your tickets now.
2026 SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS
Peerpocalypse 2026 scholarship applications are now open for Oregon residents and will be open until February 27th. Applicants are encouraged to apply for only one scholarship. Each scholarship listed below covers full conference registration, with varying types of additional support. Please review the options and choose the scholarship that best fits your qualifications and needs.
The Peer Company has partnered with the Office of Recovery & Resilience to offer a statewide scholarship for residents of Oregon who identify as being a peer, or as a consumer of behavioral health services. Check out the scholarship application here.
Oregon Statewide Veterans Scholarship
The Oregon Health Authority has partnered with The Peer Company to offer a Veterans and military-specific scholarship for individuals to attend the 13th Annual Peerpocalypse Conference. Applicants should identify as Veterans, active-duty service members, or family members of Veterans or active-duty service members with lived experience of mental health and/or substance use challenges, or work with Veterans or active-duty service members with lived experience of mental health and/or substance use challenges. Check out the scholarship application here.
OHCS Statewide Listening Session Scholarship
The Peer Company has partnered with Oregon Housing and Community Services to bring the community a scholarship designed for peers with recent lived experience (within the past 2 years) in the following areas and who are able to participate in an in-person, afternoon listening session taking place at Peerpocalypse on Wednesday, May 6: Houselessness, Housing insecurity, Recipient of housing and/or rental assistance, and/or Recipient of housing subsidies, including but not limited to Section 8 and HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) vouchers! Check out the scholarship application here. This scholarship application may close before February 27, once 32 applications have been received.
OHA Statewide IVPP Scholarship
In partnership with the Oregon Health Authority Injury and Violence Prevention Program through a CDC cooperative agreement, we are excited to offer Peerpocalypse scholarships for Oregon peers. To broaden access to support, connection, and educational opportunities for the peer support workforce, scholarships will be available to peers who are connected to peer support roles. Check out the scholarship application here. This scholarship application may close before February 27, once 30 applications have been received.
Any Questions? Reach out to us!
Have any questions about Peerpocalypse or want to connect on an opportunity? We’d love to hear from you! Reach out to us at [email protected].
THE PEER COMPANY
(FORMERLY MHAAO)
Peer-Run Recovery Support · Workforce Development · Training & Community Programs — Oregon
“Experts by Experience”
“Recovery isn’t just possible. It’s happening, right here in Oregon, every single day.”
Recovery works. We see it every day — in the lives of staff, many of whom have walked their own road to recovery, and in the thousands of people walked alongside each year as they rebuild housing, health, family, and purpose.
The Peer Company (formerly MHAAO) is a boldly inclusive, peer-run organization transforming the lives of people navigating mental health and addiction challenges across Oregon and beyond. With 90% of staff and a majority of the board holding lived experience, peer support specialists use shared experience to foster trust, offer hope, and walk alongside individuals as they define and pursue their own healing, in their own way.
Platform: Online · In-Person · Phone
Who Can Join: Individuals navigating mental health and addiction recovery · Peer support professionals · Organizations seeking training and partnership · Community members across Oregon
Cost: FREE peer support services · Paid training options noted per program below
CALL: (503) 922-2377
Website: https://www.mhaoforegon.org
OFFICE HOURS
Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM PT (12:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET)
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM PT (12:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET)
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM PT (12:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET)
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM PT (12:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET)
Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM PT (12:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET)
Closed: Saturday · Sunday
Note: Hours subject to change. The OPTIC eLearning Hub and Peer Pain Training are available online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Hours of Availability Calculation:
Mon–Fri: 8 hrs/day × 5 days = 40 hrs/week (office/phone)
OPTIC eLearning Hub & Peer Pain Training: Available 24/7 (on-demand, self-paced)
Total Weekly Hours Available: 40 hrs/week (office) · 24/7 (online training resources)
HOW TO REACH US
Phone — General Inquiries: (503) 922-2377
Website — Programs, Training & Resources (24/7):
Email — Development & Community Engagement:
Email — Training & CEU Support:
In-Person — Portland Office:
2740 SE Powell Blvd #3, Portland, OR 97202
Monday – Friday · 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM PT
PROGRAMS & SERVICES
PEER SUPPORT SERVICES — FREE
Trained peer support specialists — people with their own lived experience of mental health and addiction — walk alongside individuals navigating recovery, accessing resources, and rebuilding their lives. Services include one-on-one peer support, resource navigation, transportation assistance, housing connection, detox support, and system navigation across multiple programs including BHRC and the Homeless Services Department.
THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE WORK
Wayne West · Peer Support Specialist, BHRC
Wayne meets participants exactly where they are — with patience, compassion, and zero judgment. He understands that sometimes what a person needs most isn’t a resource sheet — it’s a person who sees them, hears them, and reminds them they still matter.
Les Doty · Peer Support Specialist, HSD
Les played a key role in helping launch the Center for Addictions Treatment and Tirage (CATT) in Washington County and continues making an instrumental impact on Multnomah County Homeless Services Department’s outreach strategy — engaging houseless peers to build trust and connect to essential community services.
Ryan Hazlett · Program Manager, HSD
Ryan successfully launched the Clean & Safe program from the ground up, leading with a commitment to trauma-informed care and creating an environment rooted in safety, respect, and encouragement for both staff and the peers served.
OPTIC eLEARNING HUB — EARN CEUs FROM ANYWHERE
Oregon Peer Training & Innovations Center · Online Self-Paced Courses
Day & Time: Available 24 hours a day · 7 days a week
Platform: Online · Self-Paced
Cost: $10–$50 per course · 1–5 CEUs per course · NAADAC-approved
The Oregon Peer Training & Innovations Center (OPTIC), a program of The Peer Company, offers high-quality self-directed online CEU courses for peer workers — developed and reviewed by peers, for peers. Courses count toward recertification requirements and professional development for Peer Support Specialists in Oregon.
Current Topics Include:
Advocacy Skills · Compassion Fatigue · Crisis Support Skills · Ethics and Boundaries · Motivational Interviewing · Your Wellness Journey
Additional courses are under development — check back for updates.
Access the eLearning Hub:
https://www.mhaoforegon.org/optic
PEER PAIN TRAINING — FREE ONLINE SELF-DIRECTED COURSE
Oregon Peer Training & Innovations Center (OPTIC)
Day & Time: Available 24 hours a day · 7 days a week
Platform: Online · Self-Paced · Best experienced on desktop
Cost: FREE
Developed with funding from the Oregon Health Authority’s Injury and Violence Prevention Program, this self-directed online training provides peer support specialists with a foundation for understanding pain and how to effectively support people who live with it. The course includes the Pain Education Toolkit — a self-directed resource for pain management education.
Access Peer Pain Training:
https://www.mhaoforegon.org/pain-training
PEER WELLNESS SPECIALIST (PWS) CERTIFICATION TRAINING
Oregon Peer Training & Innovations Center (OPTIC) · 80-Hour State-Approved Training
Day & Time: In-person and virtual cohorts ongoing — see training calendar for upcoming dates
Platform: In-Person · Virtual (live instructor-led)
Cost: [VERIFY: tuition not confirmed — Project PEER stipend funding may be available for eligible applicants]
Who Can Join: Peers with lived experience in mental health or addiction · No diagnosis required · New to the field and experienced peer workers both welcome · Limited spots — first-come, first-served
Turn lived experience into a meaningful career. This 80-hour state-approved training prepares participants to become certified Peer Wellness Specialists through the Oregon Health Authority. Recognized by the Mental Health and Addiction Certification Board of Oregon as CRM-eligible and NAADAC CEU training. Both in-person and virtual formats require full attendance.
Project PEER — HRSA-funded tuition coverage, a Chromebook, and a $6,000 living expense stipend may be available for eligible applicants from underserved communities.
Register & View Training Schedule:
https://www.mhaoforegon.org/current-trainings
Project PEER Applications:
https://www.mhaoforegon.org/project-peer
MONTHLY EXPUNGEMENT CLINIC — FREE DROP-IN LEGAL SERVICES
The Peer Company · Clear Clinic · Alano Club Partnership
Day & Time:
First Wednesday of every month · 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM PT (3:00 PM – 7:00 PM ET) · Portland
Last Wednesday of every month · 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM PT (3:00 PM – 7:00 PM ET) · Hillsboro
Next Drop-In: Wednesday, March 26 · 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM PT (3:00 PM – 7:00 PM ET) · Hillsboro Office
Platform: In-Person · Drop-ins welcome · Recurring monthly
Cost: FREE
Who Can Join: Individuals seeking expungement of Oregon records · The person whose record is being cleared must attend in person · Oregon records only
First Wednesday Location:
The Alano Club of Portland · 909 NW 24th Ave, Portland, OR
Last Wednesday Location:
5193 NE Elam Young Pkwy, Suite D, Hillsboro, OR
EMERGING LEADERS TRAINING — WAITLIST NOW OPEN
Leadership Development for Recovery Professionals
Day & Time: March 30, 2026 cohort at capacity · Next cohort date to be announced
Platform: In-Person
Cost: $169 per person · $139 per person for groups of 3 or more
Add your name to the waitlist to be first notified when new dates are announced — waitlist members receive priority registration before spots open publicly. Frameworks covered include Radical Candor · GROW Coaching · DiSC · and more — taught alongside peers who face the same unique challenges of leading in recovery-focused work.
Waitlist & Group Training Inquiries:
PEERPOCALYPSE 2026: ROOTED & RISING
National Peer Conference · May 4–7, 2026 · Waitlist Now Open
Day & Time: May 4–7, 2026 · In-person tickets currently held for scholarship applicants and presenters · Additional tickets to be released — join the waitlist to be notified
Platform: In-Person · Virtual (hybrid)
Cost: [VERIFY: ticket price not confirmed — waitlist only at this time]
Who Can Join: Peer support specialists · People with lived experience in mental health or addiction · Allies · Open to attendees from 10+ US states
An action-packed four-day national conference dedicated to peer support, wellness, and community. Dozens of workshops led by experts in peer support · 4 keynote speakers · Networking · CEU credit available for all workshops and keynotes · All registered attendees receive access to workshop recordings for 30 days following the event.
At last year’s conference: 60% of attendees identified as peers with lived experience in mental health and addiction · 20% as mental health peers · 20% as peers with lived experience of addiction.
Sponsorship opportunities remain available — connect with 1,000 peers across the country:
Join the Waitlist:
https://www.mhaoforegon.org/peerpocalypse-main-page
WHO WE HELP
- Individuals navigating mental health challenges and addiction recovery in Oregon
- People experiencing homelessness or housing instability
- Those seeking peer support, connection, and a path forward — regardless of where they are in their journey
- Peer support specialists seeking CEUs, certification, and professional development
- Recovery professionals seeking leadership training and workforce development
- Organizations and agencies seeking partnership, training, and community outreach collaboration
- Families and communities touched by behavioral health challenges
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Main Website:
OPTIC Training & eLearning Hub:
https://www.mhaoforegon.org/optic
Peer Pain Training (Free · Online · Self-Paced):
https://www.mhaoforegon.org/pain-training
PWS Training Schedule & Registration:
https://www.mhaoforegon.org/current-trainings
Project PEER (Stipend Funding Available):
https://www.mhaoforegon.org/project-peer
Peerpocalypse 2026 Waitlist:
https://www.mhaoforegon.org/peerpocalypse-main-page
Development & Community Engagement:
Emerging Leaders Training Waitlist:
CEU & Training Support:
ABOUT THE PEER COMPANY
The Peer Company, formerly known as MHAAO (Mental Health and Addiction Association of Oregon), is a peer-run behavioral health nonprofit with more than 35 years of experience serving Oregon and beyond. With 90% of staff and a majority of the board holding lived experience with mental health and addiction, the organization delivers trust-based, recovery-oriented peer support, workforce development, systems-change advocacy, and peer training through its Oregon Peer Training & Innovations Center (OPTIC) — all led by people who know the journey firsthand. In 2024, OPTIC offered 29 training cohorts including culturally-specific cohorts for LGBTQ+, in-custody, Spanish-language, African American, and veteran communities.
DISCLAIMER
Information is shared solely as a courtesy. Not a substitute for legal advice, professional treatment, or emergency services. If a person is in immediate danger, call 911 or contact local law enforcement. For mental health emergencies, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Peer support services are not a replacement for clinical treatment — please consult a qualified professional for medical or psychiatric needs. Expungement services are limited to Oregon records only — individuals must attend in person. Training costs and availability are subject to change — verify current details directly with The Peer Company.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) FOR PEER RECOVERY
An 8-Part Interactive Learning Series · Free · Online
March 4 – April 29, 2026 · Wednesdays · 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM PT
Peer Recovery · Behavioral Health · Workforce Development · Ethics & Privacy
Space is limited — registration required. Free and fully online.
Register Now: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/BTwIZZ5aSGSf3RZNITZ7Zw#/registration
LIVE VIRTUAL EVENTS — 8-SESSION SERIES
AI for Peer Recovery — CARS National Training Series
Series Dates: March 4, 2026 – April 29, 2026 (no session April 1)
Day & Time: Wednesdays · 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM PT (1.5 hrs per session)
Format: Fully Online, Interactive · Zoom · Cost: FREE
Sessions: 8 sessions · Space is limited — register early
Presented By: CARS (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America Recovery Support) · Unity Recovery
Lead Facilitator: Dr. Robert D. Ashford, PhD, MSW — Executive Director, Unity Recovery
Register: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/BTwIZZ5aSGSf3RZNITZ7Zw#/registration
Join peers, recovery leaders, and community professionals for an eight-part interactive learning experience designed to help the peer recovery community explore artificial intelligence in a safe, human-centered way. This series equips peer-run organizations and recovery leaders with the knowledge and skills to use AI responsibly and effectively. Participants will build a foundational understanding of AI and gain practical tools to strengthen advocacy, support program development, and enhance recovery planning — all with a firm focus on ethics and privacy.
MEET THE LEAD FACILITATOR
Dr. Robert D. Ashford, PhD, MSW
Dr. Robert D. Ashford is a recovery scientist, technologist, and person with lived experience. As Executive Director of Unity Recovery, he sits at the forefront of integrating emerging technologies into community-based care. Dr. Ashford is a leading voice on the ethical adoption of AI in the behavioral health sector, advocating for a “human-in-the-loop” approach that uses technology to reduce administrative burden and amplify the authentic peer voice. He is the lead facilitator for this CARS national training series.
SESSION SCHEDULE & TOPICS
Session 1 — Wednesday, March 4, 2026 AI 101: Demystifying the Machine + Intro to Org AI Policy
Define AI and generative AI in accessible, peer-focused language. Address common fears realistically — job loss, surveillance, and loss of peer voice. Establish “augmentation not automation” as a guiding principle. Introduction to why peer-run organizations need AI use policies and what they should protect.
Session 2 — Wednesday, March 11, 2026 The Peer’s Assistant: Admin, Ops, and Burnout Reduction
Identify AI uses that reduce peer administrative load without eroding relationships. Safe AI assistance for scheduling, recap notes, summarizing reports, drafting emails, and organizing resource lists. Practice “peer voice editing” to ensure outputs remain non-stigmatizing and responsive.
Session 3 — Wednesday, March 18, 2026 Prompt Engineering for Recovery Support
Learn structured prompting and recovery-oriented “personas.” Improve reliability and reduce hallucinations through better prompts. Practice iterative prompting and verification in real peer support scenarios.
Session 4 — Wednesday, March 25, 2026 Content & Advocacy: Amplifying the Peer Voice
Use AI to support advocacy and communication: newsletters, social posts, community alerts, policy letters, and event materials. Maintain authenticity and prevent “sterile AI voice.” Explore immersive story-building in Recovery Verse for outreach.
Session 5 — Wednesday, April 8, 2026 Program Development & Workforce Training with AI
Apply AI to brainstorm and structure peer programs, groups, and training curricula. Develop pro-social activities and workshop concepts that are inclusive and trauma-informed. Use AI for continuous workforce learning without replacing peer mentorship.
Session 6 — Wednesday, April 15, 2026 Ethics, Bias, Digital Divide, and Verification Culture
Understand algorithmic bias and stigma risks in recovery contexts. Recognize variability in access and prevent new barriers for underserved communities. Build a verification habit: triangulation, context checks, and peer review practices.
Session 7 — Wednesday, April 22, 2026 Safety First: Privacy, Compliance, and Recovery Planning Lab
Learn strict confidentiality boundaries for AI use including HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2. Finalize organizational AI use policy components. Practice AI-assisted recovery planning: SMART goal writing, pro-social activity development, and stigma-free recovery plan crafting.
Session 8 — Wednesday, April 29, 2026 The Future of Peer Support + Implementation Roadmaps + Toolkit Launch
Explore emerging AI trends affecting peers: virtual support, simulations, and system risks. Create personal and organizational AI upskilling plans. Finalize implementation roadmaps for safe adoption. Receive and orient to the AI toolkit.
KEY RESOURCES
Register for the AI Series: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/BTwIZZ5aSGSf3RZNITZ7Zw#/registration
Unity Recovery: https://www.unityrecovery.org
CARS — Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America: https://www.cadca.org
DISCLAIMER
Information is shared as a courtesy without guarantees or warranties of any kind.
Nothing here shall substitute for professional, legal, or medical advice. Seek qualified professionals at your own risk.
Event details and registration links are subject to change. Verify directly with the hosting organization before attending.
If someone is in immediate danger, call 911. For mental health or substance use crises, call or text 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline).
ShareWell
SEVEN DAYS A WEEK
Sessions
Sessions are small, virtual video meetings that range from 3-16 people. This is where you can connect live with real people for peer support. Sessions are hosted by our community hosts who share your life experience. You can register for sessions in advance to hold your spot and and when the time comes, you enter the session directly from ShareWell, no downloads necessary!
Free Membership is required to participate use this link.
https://sharewellnow.com/
Free Membership
- Free access to all peer support sessions.
- Register for up to 3 sessions at a time.
- Book sessions happening within the next 7 days.
- Includes 1 free Pro session credit.
-
Ideal for those seeking connection, shared experiences, and mutual support
Browse from Hundreds of Sessions Each Week From Nine Categories and there 150 Topics.
BROWSE HERE
Because I Love You
Wednesdays 8PM PST
We offer B.I.L.Y. Parent Support Group Meetings via Zoom five times a week for both California and out-of-state parents.
MEETING TIMES (PST)
- Mondays – 7 PM
- Tuesdays – 5 PM & 7 PM
- Wednesdays – 7 PM
- Thursdays – 5 PM
To join a group, please Email Dennis for details, the Zoom Meeting ID, and the password.
ABOUT US
Our Founder, Dennis Poncher, began the Because I Love You, Parent and Youth Support Groups, in 1982 out of a need to help his own family. Since then, Dennis has poured his life into helping other families in crises. Our support group meetings are attended by parents who have children (of all ages) with behavioral issues such as negative attitudes, truancy, drug and/or alcohol abuse, running away, and verbal and physical abuse.
Our program works for both parents and youth, offering support and guidance to improve communication, promote structure and cooperation in the home, and achieve our goal of family preservation. Meetings are run completely by volunteers, and they are a place where families can find support without judgment or feeling embarrassed by situations they may feel they have no control over.
The Because I Love You program produces positive results, all free of charge. Read the testimonials of parents who have attended the support group meetings at How B.I.L.Y. Changed My Life. For over 30 years, thousands of parents have attended our support groups and become “Success Stories” . . . We have seen runaways return home, truants return to school and graduate, children who were dependent on substances become clean and sober, and families that were experiencing crisis and separation reunite!
If you need to talk, the 988 Lifeline is here.
At the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, we understand that life’s challenges can sometimes be difficult. Whether you’re facing mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or just need someone to talk to, our caring counselors are here for you. You are not alone.
What to Expect
Calling the 988 Lifeline
Here is what you can expect when making a call to the 988 Lifeline.
Step 1 of 5
First, you’ll hear a message that gives you service selection options.
Listen to the pre-recorded message (mp3).
Step 2 of 5
We’ll play some hold music while you are connected to a counselor with our Spanish-language, LGBTQI+ services, or your local 988 Lifeline contact center. For veterans, the phone will ring until a counselor can answer your call.
Step 3 of 5
A counselor will say hello and introduce themselves.
Step 4 of 5
Your skilled counselor will ask you if you are safe.
Step 5 of 5
After they ask about your safety, your counselor will listen to you, understand how your problem is affecting you, provide support, and share any resources that may be helpful.
Chatting with the 988 Lifeline
Here is what you can expect when starting a chat with the 988 Lifeline.
Step 1 of 6
After clicking “Chat With Us,” a new window with a brief survey will open. This survey helps our counselors understand how to best support you and takes less than 5 minutes to complete.
Step 2 of 6
When you click “Start a Chat”, you are accepting our Terms of Service.
Step 3 of 6
You will then see a screen that indicates we are connecting you to a counselor.
Step 4 of 6
A counselor will say hello and introduce themselves.
Step 5 of 6
Your skilled counselor will ask if you are safe.
Step 6 of 6
After they ask about your safety, they will be calm and comforting, listen to you, and provide support. They may also share helpful resources.
Texting with the 988 Lifeline
Here is what you can expect when texting the 988 Lifeline.
Step 1 of 7
When you send a text to 988, you will be given options to connect with a counselor from the Veterans, Spanish-language, LGBTQI+ service, or the main 988 Lifeline.
Step 2 of 7
When you text “next” you will be accepting our Terms of Service.
Step 3 of 7
You will then need to complete a brief survey to help your counselor understand how they can best support you.
Step 4 of 7
You’ll receive a “wait” message with optional questions while we connect you to a counselor.
Step 5 of 7
Your counselor will say hello and introduce themselves.
Step 6 of 7
Your skilled counselor will ask if you are safe.
Step 7 of 7
After they ask about your safety, they will be calm and comforting, listen to you, and provide support. They may also share helpful resources.
Specific LGBTQ+ Support for Young Adults was Removed from 988 Lifeline
988 will still take calls; additional resources below.
Effective July 17, 2025
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is removing the “Press 3” option that connected LGBTQ+ youth to specialized, affirming counselors.
This change is the result of a federal budget cuts which eliminated funding for LGBTQ-specific services. General 988 support remains available, but LGBTQ+ youth will no longer have direct access to trained LGBTQ+ crisis counselors.
988 will still answer calls from everyone, but it will no longer offer identity-specific crisis support.
Alternatives for LGBTQ+ Youth in Crisis
-
The Trevor Project
Crisis support for LGBTQ+ youth (24/7)
Call: 1-866-488-7386
Text: START to 678678
Chat: thetrevorproject.org
-
Trans Lifeline
Peer-led crisis support for trans people (no non-consensual rescue)
Call: 877-565-8860
Website: translifeline.org
-
Q Chat Space
Live-chat support groups for LGBTQ+ youth (ages 13–19)
Website: qchatspace.org
-
LGBT National Youth Talkline
Confidential peer support (ages 25 & under)
Call: 1-800-246-7743
Website: lgbthotline.org
-
BlackLine
Peer support line prioritizing BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities
Call: 1-800-604-5841
Website: callblackline.com
-
StrongHearts Native Helpline
Support for Native LGBTQ+ individuals experiencing crisis or abuse
Call or Text: 1-844-762-8483
Website: strongheartshelpline.org
-
Rainbow Youth Project USA
Mental health crisis support and advocacy for LGBTQ+ youth
Call: 1-317-643-4888
Website: rainbowyouthproject.org
Disclaimer: We do not provide emergency services. This information is provided solely as a courtesy without warranty or guarantee of any kind whatsoever.
LAURA VAN TOSH TO HEADLINE PEERPOCALYPSE 2026
We are so excited to announce Laura Van Tosh will be joining us as a keynote speaker on Wednesday, May 6 at Peerpocalypse!
More in-person tickets to be released very soon!
Laura Van Tosh is a peer leader who has held influential policy roles across the country. For more than 40 years, she has been a leader in psychiatric survivor movements. Here work is grounded not only in policy work, but in lived experience.
At 17, Laura was involuntarily committed for the first time. She navigated a system that restrained her, medicated her, and offered little hope. She turned her experience into a lifetime of action: organizing street outreach programs for unhoused individuals, testifying before Congress, working on national homelessness policy, and serving as a Consumer Affairs Director at state hospitals where she fought to eliminate seclusion and restraint practices.
One of her proudest contributions was her advocacy work around the landmark 1999 Olmstead Supreme Court decision, the ruling that declared the institutionalization of people with disabilities as a form of unlawful discrimination. Laura wrote and educated nationally on why that ruling mattered, and helped bring peer voices to the forefront of that conversation.
Today, Laura is working alongside a new generation of advocates to push for non-coercive crisis response, racial inclusion, and systemic change in behavioral health.
We cannot wait for you to hear her speak.
TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
P.S. Laura’s closing words in this interview say it all: her life’s work has always been about freedom. “It’s not that people get well, it’s that the best place to recover is in the community… My goal has always been about that, it has always been about freedom of people, not just free from shackles, but freedom to create your own life.” Come hear her tell that story herself. Register for Peerpocalypse today.
At this time, remaining in-person tickets are being held for scholarship applicants who may need to purchase a ticket if they are not selected. More in-person tickets will be released in mid-March.
If you’d like to be notified when in-person tickets are re-released, please add your name to the waitlist interest form here.
Peerpocalypse 2026 will take place May 4-7 in Seaside, Oregon and online. All workshops and evening events will be accessible virtually through our event app, Whova. Virtual tickets are available here.
This year includes:
+ 45 workshops and a 4-part Ethics series
+ 4 keynote meals
+ Access to workshop and keynote recordings for one month after the conference and the opportunity to earn additional CEU credits by watching workshops you may have missed
PEERPOCALYPSE
MAY 4th – 7th , 2026
Register for Peerpocalypse 2026!
USE THIS LINK FOR PEERPOCALYPSE TICKETS
Join us from May 4th to May 7th, 2026 for an action-packed four-day conference dedicated to peer support, wellness, and community. Whether you’re a peer support specialist, someone with lived experience in mental illness or addiction, or an ally, Peerpocalypse welcomes you. With activities, gatherings, and dozens of workshops led by experts in the peer support field, Peerpocalypse is the perfect opportunity to deepen your knowledge, gain new skills, and connect with others in the peer movement. This event is ideal for peer support professionals looking to complete CEUs, as well as anyone interested in expanding their understanding of peer wellness. It’s also a unique opportunity to meet and network with other peers, learn from leading experts, and be part of a community dedicated to advancing the peer movement. All attendees will have access to workshop recordings for 30 days following the event to continue learning at their own pace.
If you are from an organization and are looking to send multiple people, email us at [email protected] to reserve your tickets now.
2026 SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS
Peerpocalypse 2026 scholarship applications are now open for Oregon residents and will be open until February 27th. Applicants are encouraged to apply for only one scholarship. Each scholarship listed below covers full conference registration, with varying types of additional support. Please review the options and choose the scholarship that best fits your qualifications and needs.
The Peer Company has partnered with the Office of Recovery & Resilience to offer a statewide scholarship for residents of Oregon who identify as being a peer, or as a consumer of behavioral health services. Check out the scholarship application here.
Oregon Statewide Veterans Scholarship
The Oregon Health Authority has partnered with The Peer Company to offer a Veterans and military-specific scholarship for individuals to attend the 13th Annual Peerpocalypse Conference. Applicants should identify as Veterans, active-duty service members, or family members of Veterans or active-duty service members with lived experience of mental health and/or substance use challenges, or work with Veterans or active-duty service members with lived experience of mental health and/or substance use challenges. Check out the scholarship application here.
OHCS Statewide Listening Session Scholarship
The Peer Company has partnered with Oregon Housing and Community Services to bring the community a scholarship designed for peers with recent lived experience (within the past 2 years) in the following areas and who are able to participate in an in-person, afternoon listening session taking place at Peerpocalypse on Wednesday, May 6: Houselessness, Housing insecurity, Recipient of housing and/or rental assistance, and/or Recipient of housing subsidies, including but not limited to Section 8 and HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) vouchers! Check out the scholarship application here. This scholarship application may close before February 27, once 32 applications have been received.
OHA Statewide IVPP Scholarship
In partnership with the Oregon Health Authority Injury and Violence Prevention Program through a CDC cooperative agreement, we are excited to offer Peerpocalypse scholarships for Oregon peers. To broaden access to support, connection, and educational opportunities for the peer support workforce, scholarships will be available to peers who are connected to peer support roles. Check out the scholarship application here. This scholarship application may close before February 27, once 30 applications have been received.
Any Questions? Reach out to us!
Have any questions about Peerpocalypse or want to connect on an opportunity? We’d love to hear from you! Reach out to us at [email protected].
THE PEER COMPANY
(FORMERLY MHAAO)
Peer-Run Recovery Support · Workforce Development · Training & Community Programs — Oregon
“Experts by Experience”
“Recovery isn’t just possible. It’s happening, right here in Oregon, every single day.”
Recovery works. We see it every day — in the lives of staff, many of whom have walked their own road to recovery, and in the thousands of people walked alongside each year as they rebuild housing, health, family, and purpose.
The Peer Company (formerly MHAAO) is a boldly inclusive, peer-run organization transforming the lives of people navigating mental health and addiction challenges across Oregon and beyond. With 90% of staff and a majority of the board holding lived experience, peer support specialists use shared experience to foster trust, offer hope, and walk alongside individuals as they define and pursue their own healing, in their own way.
Platform: Online · In-Person · Phone
Who Can Join: Individuals navigating mental health and addiction recovery · Peer support professionals · Organizations seeking training and partnership · Community members across Oregon
Cost: FREE peer support services · Paid training options noted per program below
CALL: (503) 922-2377
Website: https://www.mhaoforegon.org
OFFICE HOURS
Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM PT (12:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET)
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM PT (12:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET)
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM PT (12:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET)
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM PT (12:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET)
Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM PT (12:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET)
Closed: Saturday · Sunday
Note: Hours subject to change. The OPTIC eLearning Hub and Peer Pain Training are available online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Hours of Availability Calculation:
Mon–Fri: 8 hrs/day × 5 days = 40 hrs/week (office/phone)
OPTIC eLearning Hub & Peer Pain Training: Available 24/7 (on-demand, self-paced)
Total Weekly Hours Available: 40 hrs/week (office) · 24/7 (online training resources)
HOW TO REACH US
Phone — General Inquiries: (503) 922-2377
Website — Programs, Training & Resources (24/7):
Email — Development & Community Engagement:
Email — Training & CEU Support:
In-Person — Portland Office:
2740 SE Powell Blvd #3, Portland, OR 97202
Monday – Friday · 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM PT
PROGRAMS & SERVICES
PEER SUPPORT SERVICES — FREE
Trained peer support specialists — people with their own lived experience of mental health and addiction — walk alongside individuals navigating recovery, accessing resources, and rebuilding their lives. Services include one-on-one peer support, resource navigation, transportation assistance, housing connection, detox support, and system navigation across multiple programs including BHRC and the Homeless Services Department.
THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE WORK
Wayne West · Peer Support Specialist, BHRC
Wayne meets participants exactly where they are — with patience, compassion, and zero judgment. He understands that sometimes what a person needs most isn’t a resource sheet — it’s a person who sees them, hears them, and reminds them they still matter.
Les Doty · Peer Support Specialist, HSD
Les played a key role in helping launch the Center for Addictions Treatment and Tirage (CATT) in Washington County and continues making an instrumental impact on Multnomah County Homeless Services Department’s outreach strategy — engaging houseless peers to build trust and connect to essential community services.
Ryan Hazlett · Program Manager, HSD
Ryan successfully launched the Clean & Safe program from the ground up, leading with a commitment to trauma-informed care and creating an environment rooted in safety, respect, and encouragement for both staff and the peers served.
OPTIC eLEARNING HUB — EARN CEUs FROM ANYWHERE
Oregon Peer Training & Innovations Center · Online Self-Paced Courses
Day & Time: Available 24 hours a day · 7 days a week
Platform: Online · Self-Paced
Cost: $10–$50 per course · 1–5 CEUs per course · NAADAC-approved
The Oregon Peer Training & Innovations Center (OPTIC), a program of The Peer Company, offers high-quality self-directed online CEU courses for peer workers — developed and reviewed by peers, for peers. Courses count toward recertification requirements and professional development for Peer Support Specialists in Oregon.
Current Topics Include:
Advocacy Skills · Compassion Fatigue · Crisis Support Skills · Ethics and Boundaries · Motivational Interviewing · Your Wellness Journey
Additional courses are under development — check back for updates.
Access the eLearning Hub:
https://www.mhaoforegon.org/optic
PEER PAIN TRAINING — FREE ONLINE SELF-DIRECTED COURSE
Oregon Peer Training & Innovations Center (OPTIC)
Day & Time: Available 24 hours a day · 7 days a week
Platform: Online · Self-Paced · Best experienced on desktop
Cost: FREE
Developed with funding from the Oregon Health Authority’s Injury and Violence Prevention Program, this self-directed online training provides peer support specialists with a foundation for understanding pain and how to effectively support people who live with it. The course includes the Pain Education Toolkit — a self-directed resource for pain management education.
Access Peer Pain Training:
https://www.mhaoforegon.org/pain-training
PEER WELLNESS SPECIALIST (PWS) CERTIFICATION TRAINING
Oregon Peer Training & Innovations Center (OPTIC) · 80-Hour State-Approved Training
Day & Time: In-person and virtual cohorts ongoing — see training calendar for upcoming dates
Platform: In-Person · Virtual (live instructor-led)
Cost: [VERIFY: tuition not confirmed — Project PEER stipend funding may be available for eligible applicants]
Who Can Join: Peers with lived experience in mental health or addiction · No diagnosis required · New to the field and experienced peer workers both welcome · Limited spots — first-come, first-served
Turn lived experience into a meaningful career. This 80-hour state-approved training prepares participants to become certified Peer Wellness Specialists through the Oregon Health Authority. Recognized by the Mental Health and Addiction Certification Board of Oregon as CRM-eligible and NAADAC CEU training. Both in-person and virtual formats require full attendance.
Project PEER — HRSA-funded tuition coverage, a Chromebook, and a $6,000 living expense stipend may be available for eligible applicants from underserved communities.
Register & View Training Schedule:
https://www.mhaoforegon.org/current-trainings
Project PEER Applications:
https://www.mhaoforegon.org/project-peer
MONTHLY EXPUNGEMENT CLINIC — FREE DROP-IN LEGAL SERVICES
The Peer Company · Clear Clinic · Alano Club Partnership
Day & Time:
First Wednesday of every month · 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM PT (3:00 PM – 7:00 PM ET) · Portland
Last Wednesday of every month · 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM PT (3:00 PM – 7:00 PM ET) · Hillsboro
Next Drop-In: Wednesday, March 26 · 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM PT (3:00 PM – 7:00 PM ET) · Hillsboro Office
Platform: In-Person · Drop-ins welcome · Recurring monthly
Cost: FREE
Who Can Join: Individuals seeking expungement of Oregon records · The person whose record is being cleared must attend in person · Oregon records only
First Wednesday Location:
The Alano Club of Portland · 909 NW 24th Ave, Portland, OR
Last Wednesday Location:
5193 NE Elam Young Pkwy, Suite D, Hillsboro, OR
EMERGING LEADERS TRAINING — WAITLIST NOW OPEN
Leadership Development for Recovery Professionals
Day & Time: March 30, 2026 cohort at capacity · Next cohort date to be announced
Platform: In-Person
Cost: $169 per person · $139 per person for groups of 3 or more
Add your name to the waitlist to be first notified when new dates are announced — waitlist members receive priority registration before spots open publicly. Frameworks covered include Radical Candor · GROW Coaching · DiSC · and more — taught alongside peers who face the same unique challenges of leading in recovery-focused work.
Waitlist & Group Training Inquiries:
PEERPOCALYPSE 2026: ROOTED & RISING
National Peer Conference · May 4–7, 2026 · Waitlist Now Open
Day & Time: May 4–7, 2026 · In-person tickets currently held for scholarship applicants and presenters · Additional tickets to be released — join the waitlist to be notified
Platform: In-Person · Virtual (hybrid)
Cost: [VERIFY: ticket price not confirmed — waitlist only at this time]
Who Can Join: Peer support specialists · People with lived experience in mental health or addiction · Allies · Open to attendees from 10+ US states
An action-packed four-day national conference dedicated to peer support, wellness, and community. Dozens of workshops led by experts in peer support · 4 keynote speakers · Networking · CEU credit available for all workshops and keynotes · All registered attendees receive access to workshop recordings for 30 days following the event.
At last year’s conference: 60% of attendees identified as peers with lived experience in mental health and addiction · 20% as mental health peers · 20% as peers with lived experience of addiction.
Sponsorship opportunities remain available — connect with 1,000 peers across the country:
Join the Waitlist:
https://www.mhaoforegon.org/peerpocalypse-main-page
WHO WE HELP
- Individuals navigating mental health challenges and addiction recovery in Oregon
- People experiencing homelessness or housing instability
- Those seeking peer support, connection, and a path forward — regardless of where they are in their journey
- Peer support specialists seeking CEUs, certification, and professional development
- Recovery professionals seeking leadership training and workforce development
- Organizations and agencies seeking partnership, training, and community outreach collaboration
- Families and communities touched by behavioral health challenges
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Main Website:
OPTIC Training & eLearning Hub:
https://www.mhaoforegon.org/optic
Peer Pain Training (Free · Online · Self-Paced):
https://www.mhaoforegon.org/pain-training
PWS Training Schedule & Registration:
https://www.mhaoforegon.org/current-trainings
Project PEER (Stipend Funding Available):
https://www.mhaoforegon.org/project-peer
Peerpocalypse 2026 Waitlist:
https://www.mhaoforegon.org/peerpocalypse-main-page
Development & Community Engagement:
Emerging Leaders Training Waitlist:
CEU & Training Support:
ABOUT THE PEER COMPANY
The Peer Company, formerly known as MHAAO (Mental Health and Addiction Association of Oregon), is a peer-run behavioral health nonprofit with more than 35 years of experience serving Oregon and beyond. With 90% of staff and a majority of the board holding lived experience with mental health and addiction, the organization delivers trust-based, recovery-oriented peer support, workforce development, systems-change advocacy, and peer training through its Oregon Peer Training & Innovations Center (OPTIC) — all led by people who know the journey firsthand. In 2024, OPTIC offered 29 training cohorts including culturally-specific cohorts for LGBTQ+, in-custody, Spanish-language, African American, and veteran communities.
DISCLAIMER
Information is shared solely as a courtesy. Not a substitute for legal advice, professional treatment, or emergency services. If a person is in immediate danger, call 911 or contact local law enforcement. For mental health emergencies, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Peer support services are not a replacement for clinical treatment — please consult a qualified professional for medical or psychiatric needs. Expungement services are limited to Oregon records only — individuals must attend in person. Training costs and availability are subject to change — verify current details directly with The Peer Company.
ShareWell
SEVEN DAYS A WEEK
Sessions
Sessions are small, virtual video meetings that range from 3-16 people. This is where you can connect live with real people for peer support. Sessions are hosted by our community hosts who share your life experience. You can register for sessions in advance to hold your spot and and when the time comes, you enter the session directly from ShareWell, no downloads necessary!
Free Membership is required to participate use this link.
https://sharewellnow.com/
Free Membership
- Free access to all peer support sessions.
- Register for up to 3 sessions at a time.
- Book sessions happening within the next 7 days.
- Includes 1 free Pro session credit.
-
Ideal for those seeking connection, shared experiences, and mutual support
Browse from Hundreds of Sessions Each Week From Nine Categories and there 150 Topics.
BROWSE HERE
Because I Love You
Thursdays 5PM PST
We offer B.I.L.Y. Parent Support Group Meetings via Zoom five times a week for both California and out-of-state parents.
MEETING TIMES (PST)
- Mondays – 7 PM
- Tuesdays – 5 PM & 7 PM
- Wednesdays – 7 PM
- Thursdays – 5 PM
To join a group, please Email Dennis for details, the Zoom Meeting ID, and the password.
ABOUT US
Our Founder, Dennis Poncher, began the Because I Love You, Parent and Youth Support Groups, in 1982 out of a need to help his own family. Since then, Dennis has poured his life into helping other families in crises. Our support group meetings are attended by parents who have children (of all ages) with behavioral issues such as negative attitudes, truancy, drug and/or alcohol abuse, running away, and verbal and physical abuse.
Our program works for both parents and youth, offering support and guidance to improve communication, promote structure and cooperation in the home, and achieve our goal of family preservation. Meetings are run completely by volunteers, and they are a place where families can find support without judgment or feeling embarrassed by situations they may feel they have no control over.
The Because I Love You program produces positive results, all free of charge. Read the testimonials of parents who have attended the support group meetings at How B.I.L.Y. Changed My Life. For over 30 years, thousands of parents have attended our support groups and become “Success Stories” . . . We have seen runaways return home, truants return to school and graduate, children who were dependent on substances become clean and sober, and families that were experiencing crisis and separation reunite!
If you need to talk, the 988 Lifeline is here.
At the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, we understand that life’s challenges can sometimes be difficult. Whether you’re facing mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or just need someone to talk to, our caring counselors are here for you. You are not alone.
What to Expect
Calling the 988 Lifeline
Here is what you can expect when making a call to the 988 Lifeline.
Step 1 of 5
First, you’ll hear a message that gives you service selection options.
Listen to the pre-recorded message (mp3).
Step 2 of 5
We’ll play some hold music while you are connected to a counselor with our Spanish-language, LGBTQI+ services, or your local 988 Lifeline contact center. For veterans, the phone will ring until a counselor can answer your call.
Step 3 of 5
A counselor will say hello and introduce themselves.
Step 4 of 5
Your skilled counselor will ask you if you are safe.
Step 5 of 5
After they ask about your safety, your counselor will listen to you, understand how your problem is affecting you, provide support, and share any resources that may be helpful.
Chatting with the 988 Lifeline
Here is what you can expect when starting a chat with the 988 Lifeline.
Step 1 of 6
After clicking “Chat With Us,” a new window with a brief survey will open. This survey helps our counselors understand how to best support you and takes less than 5 minutes to complete.
Step 2 of 6
When you click “Start a Chat”, you are accepting our Terms of Service.
Step 3 of 6
You will then see a screen that indicates we are connecting you to a counselor.
Step 4 of 6
A counselor will say hello and introduce themselves.
Step 5 of 6
Your skilled counselor will ask if you are safe.
Step 6 of 6
After they ask about your safety, they will be calm and comforting, listen to you, and provide support. They may also share helpful resources.
Texting with the 988 Lifeline
Here is what you can expect when texting the 988 Lifeline.
Step 1 of 7
When you send a text to 988, you will be given options to connect with a counselor from the Veterans, Spanish-language, LGBTQI+ service, or the main 988 Lifeline.
Step 2 of 7
When you text “next” you will be accepting our Terms of Service.
Step 3 of 7
You will then need to complete a brief survey to help your counselor understand how they can best support you.
Step 4 of 7
You’ll receive a “wait” message with optional questions while we connect you to a counselor.
Step 5 of 7
Your counselor will say hello and introduce themselves.
Step 6 of 7
Your skilled counselor will ask if you are safe.
Step 7 of 7
After they ask about your safety, they will be calm and comforting, listen to you, and provide support. They may also share helpful resources.
Specific LGBTQ+ Support for Young Adults was Removed from 988 Lifeline
988 will still take calls; additional resources below.
Effective July 17, 2025
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is removing the “Press 3” option that connected LGBTQ+ youth to specialized, affirming counselors.
This change is the result of a federal budget cuts which eliminated funding for LGBTQ-specific services. General 988 support remains available, but LGBTQ+ youth will no longer have direct access to trained LGBTQ+ crisis counselors.
988 will still answer calls from everyone, but it will no longer offer identity-specific crisis support.
Alternatives for LGBTQ+ Youth in Crisis
-
The Trevor Project
Crisis support for LGBTQ+ youth (24/7)
Call: 1-866-488-7386
Text: START to 678678
Chat: thetrevorproject.org
-
Trans Lifeline
Peer-led crisis support for trans people (no non-consensual rescue)
Call: 877-565-8860
Website: translifeline.org
-
Q Chat Space
Live-chat support groups for LGBTQ+ youth (ages 13–19)
Website: qchatspace.org
-
LGBT National Youth Talkline
Confidential peer support (ages 25 & under)
Call: 1-800-246-7743
Website: lgbthotline.org
-
BlackLine
Peer support line prioritizing BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities
Call: 1-800-604-5841
Website: callblackline.com
-
StrongHearts Native Helpline
Support for Native LGBTQ+ individuals experiencing crisis or abuse
Call or Text: 1-844-762-8483
Website: strongheartshelpline.org
-
Rainbow Youth Project USA
Mental health crisis support and advocacy for LGBTQ+ youth
Call: 1-317-643-4888
Website: rainbowyouthproject.org
Disclaimer: We do not provide emergency services. This information is provided solely as a courtesy without warranty or guarantee of any kind whatsoever.
LAURA VAN TOSH TO HEADLINE PEERPOCALYPSE 2026
We are so excited to announce Laura Van Tosh will be joining us as a keynote speaker on Wednesday, May 6 at Peerpocalypse!
More in-person tickets to be released very soon!
Laura Van Tosh is a peer leader who has held influential policy roles across the country. For more than 40 years, she has been a leader in psychiatric survivor movements. Here work is grounded not only in policy work, but in lived experience.
At 17, Laura was involuntarily committed for the first time. She navigated a system that restrained her, medicated her, and offered little hope. She turned her experience into a lifetime of action: organizing street outreach programs for unhoused individuals, testifying before Congress, working on national homelessness policy, and serving as a Consumer Affairs Director at state hospitals where she fought to eliminate seclusion and restraint practices.
One of her proudest contributions was her advocacy work around the landmark 1999 Olmstead Supreme Court decision, the ruling that declared the institutionalization of people with disabilities as a form of unlawful discrimination. Laura wrote and educated nationally on why that ruling mattered, and helped bring peer voices to the forefront of that conversation.
Today, Laura is working alongside a new generation of advocates to push for non-coercive crisis response, racial inclusion, and systemic change in behavioral health.
We cannot wait for you to hear her speak.
TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
P.S. Laura’s closing words in this interview say it all: her life’s work has always been about freedom. “It’s not that people get well, it’s that the best place to recover is in the community… My goal has always been about that, it has always been about freedom of people, not just free from shackles, but freedom to create your own life.” Come hear her tell that story herself. Register for Peerpocalypse today.
At this time, remaining in-person tickets are being held for scholarship applicants who may need to purchase a ticket if they are not selected. More in-person tickets will be released in mid-March.
If you’d like to be notified when in-person tickets are re-released, please add your name to the waitlist interest form here.
Peerpocalypse 2026 will take place May 4-7 in Seaside, Oregon and online. All workshops and evening events will be accessible virtually through our event app, Whova. Virtual tickets are available here.
This year includes:
+ 45 workshops and a 4-part Ethics series
+ 4 keynote meals
+ Access to workshop and keynote recordings for one month after the conference and the opportunity to earn additional CEU credits by watching workshops you may have missed
PEERPOCALYPSE
MAY 4th – 7th , 2026
Register for Peerpocalypse 2026!
USE THIS LINK FOR PEERPOCALYPSE TICKETS
Join us from May 4th to May 7th, 2026 for an action-packed four-day conference dedicated to peer support, wellness, and community. Whether you’re a peer support specialist, someone with lived experience in mental illness or addiction, or an ally, Peerpocalypse welcomes you. With activities, gatherings, and dozens of workshops led by experts in the peer support field, Peerpocalypse is the perfect opportunity to deepen your knowledge, gain new skills, and connect with others in the peer movement. This event is ideal for peer support professionals looking to complete CEUs, as well as anyone interested in expanding their understanding of peer wellness. It’s also a unique opportunity to meet and network with other peers, learn from leading experts, and be part of a community dedicated to advancing the peer movement. All attendees will have access to workshop recordings for 30 days following the event to continue learning at their own pace.
If you are from an organization and are looking to send multiple people, email us at [email protected] to reserve your tickets now.
2026 SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS
Peerpocalypse 2026 scholarship applications are now open for Oregon residents and will be open until February 27th. Applicants are encouraged to apply for only one scholarship. Each scholarship listed below covers full conference registration, with varying types of additional support. Please review the options and choose the scholarship that best fits your qualifications and needs.
The Peer Company has partnered with the Office of Recovery & Resilience to offer a statewide scholarship for residents of Oregon who identify as being a peer, or as a consumer of behavioral health services. Check out the scholarship application here.
Oregon Statewide Veterans Scholarship
The Oregon Health Authority has partnered with The Peer Company to offer a Veterans and military-specific scholarship for individuals to attend the 13th Annual Peerpocalypse Conference. Applicants should identify as Veterans, active-duty service members, or family members of Veterans or active-duty service members with lived experience of mental health and/or substance use challenges, or work with Veterans or active-duty service members with lived experience of mental health and/or substance use challenges. Check out the scholarship application here.
OHCS Statewide Listening Session Scholarship
The Peer Company has partnered with Oregon Housing and Community Services to bring the community a scholarship designed for peers with recent lived experience (within the past 2 years) in the following areas and who are able to participate in an in-person, afternoon listening session taking place at Peerpocalypse on Wednesday, May 6: Houselessness, Housing insecurity, Recipient of housing and/or rental assistance, and/or Recipient of housing subsidies, including but not limited to Section 8 and HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) vouchers! Check out the scholarship application here. This scholarship application may close before February 27, once 32 applications have been received.
OHA Statewide IVPP Scholarship
In partnership with the Oregon Health Authority Injury and Violence Prevention Program through a CDC cooperative agreement, we are excited to offer Peerpocalypse scholarships for Oregon peers. To broaden access to support, connection, and educational opportunities for the peer support workforce, scholarships will be available to peers who are connected to peer support roles. Check out the scholarship application here. This scholarship application may close before February 27, once 30 applications have been received.
Any Questions? Reach out to us!
Have any questions about Peerpocalypse or want to connect on an opportunity? We’d love to hear from you! Reach out to us at [email protected].
THE PEER COMPANY
(FORMERLY MHAAO)
Peer-Run Recovery Support · Workforce Development · Training & Community Programs — Oregon
“Experts by Experience”
“Recovery isn’t just possible. It’s happening, right here in Oregon, every single day.”
Recovery works. We see it every day — in the lives of staff, many of whom have walked their own road to recovery, and in the thousands of people walked alongside each year as they rebuild housing, health, family, and purpose.
The Peer Company (formerly MHAAO) is a boldly inclusive, peer-run organization transforming the lives of people navigating mental health and addiction challenges across Oregon and beyond. With 90% of staff and a majority of the board holding lived experience, peer support specialists use shared experience to foster trust, offer hope, and walk alongside individuals as they define and pursue their own healing, in their own way.
Platform: Online · In-Person · Phone
Who Can Join: Individuals navigating mental health and addiction recovery · Peer support professionals · Organizations seeking training and partnership · Community members across Oregon
Cost: FREE peer support services · Paid training options noted per program below
CALL: (503) 922-2377
Website: https://www.mhaoforegon.org
OFFICE HOURS
Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM PT (12:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET)
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM PT (12:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET)
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM PT (12:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET)
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM PT (12:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET)
Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM PT (12:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET)
Closed: Saturday · Sunday
Note: Hours subject to change. The OPTIC eLearning Hub and Peer Pain Training are available online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Hours of Availability Calculation:
Mon–Fri: 8 hrs/day × 5 days = 40 hrs/week (office/phone)
OPTIC eLearning Hub & Peer Pain Training: Available 24/7 (on-demand, self-paced)
Total Weekly Hours Available: 40 hrs/week (office) · 24/7 (online training resources)
HOW TO REACH US
Phone — General Inquiries: (503) 922-2377
Website — Programs, Training & Resources (24/7):
Email — Development & Community Engagement:
Email — Training & CEU Support:
In-Person — Portland Office:
2740 SE Powell Blvd #3, Portland, OR 97202
Monday – Friday · 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM PT
PROGRAMS & SERVICES
PEER SUPPORT SERVICES — FREE
Trained peer support specialists — people with their own lived experience of mental health and addiction — walk alongside individuals navigating recovery, accessing resources, and rebuilding their lives. Services include one-on-one peer support, resource navigation, transportation assistance, housing connection, detox support, and system navigation across multiple programs including BHRC and the Homeless Services Department.
THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE WORK
Wayne West · Peer Support Specialist, BHRC
Wayne meets participants exactly where they are — with patience, compassion, and zero judgment. He understands that sometimes what a person needs most isn’t a resource sheet — it’s a person who sees them, hears them, and reminds them they still matter.
Les Doty · Peer Support Specialist, HSD
Les played a key role in helping launch the Center for Addictions Treatment and Tirage (CATT) in Washington County and continues making an instrumental impact on Multnomah County Homeless Services Department’s outreach strategy — engaging houseless peers to build trust and connect to essential community services.
Ryan Hazlett · Program Manager, HSD
Ryan successfully launched the Clean & Safe program from the ground up, leading with a commitment to trauma-informed care and creating an environment rooted in safety, respect, and encouragement for both staff and the peers served.
OPTIC eLEARNING HUB — EARN CEUs FROM ANYWHERE
Oregon Peer Training & Innovations Center · Online Self-Paced Courses
Day & Time: Available 24 hours a day · 7 days a week
Platform: Online · Self-Paced
Cost: $10–$50 per course · 1–5 CEUs per course · NAADAC-approved
The Oregon Peer Training & Innovations Center (OPTIC), a program of The Peer Company, offers high-quality self-directed online CEU courses for peer workers — developed and reviewed by peers, for peers. Courses count toward recertification requirements and professional development for Peer Support Specialists in Oregon.
Current Topics Include:
Advocacy Skills · Compassion Fatigue · Crisis Support Skills · Ethics and Boundaries · Motivational Interviewing · Your Wellness Journey
Additional courses are under development — check back for updates.
Access the eLearning Hub:
https://www.mhaoforegon.org/optic
PEER PAIN TRAINING — FREE ONLINE SELF-DIRECTED COURSE
Oregon Peer Training & Innovations Center (OPTIC)
Day & Time: Available 24 hours a day · 7 days a week
Platform: Online · Self-Paced · Best experienced on desktop
Cost: FREE
Developed with funding from the Oregon Health Authority’s Injury and Violence Prevention Program, this self-directed online training provides peer support specialists with a foundation for understanding pain and how to effectively support people who live with it. The course includes the Pain Education Toolkit — a self-directed resource for pain management education.
Access Peer Pain Training:
https://www.mhaoforegon.org/pain-training
PEER WELLNESS SPECIALIST (PWS) CERTIFICATION TRAINING
Oregon Peer Training & Innovations Center (OPTIC) · 80-Hour State-Approved Training
Day & Time: In-person and virtual cohorts ongoing — see training calendar for upcoming dates
Platform: In-Person · Virtual (live instructor-led)
Cost: [VERIFY: tuition not confirmed — Project PEER stipend funding may be available for eligible applicants]
Who Can Join: Peers with lived experience in mental health or addiction · No diagnosis required · New to the field and experienced peer workers both welcome · Limited spots — first-come, first-served
Turn lived experience into a meaningful career. This 80-hour state-approved training prepares participants to become certified Peer Wellness Specialists through the Oregon Health Authority. Recognized by the Mental Health and Addiction Certification Board of Oregon as CRM-eligible and NAADAC CEU training. Both in-person and virtual formats require full attendance.
Project PEER — HRSA-funded tuition coverage, a Chromebook, and a $6,000 living expense stipend may be available for eligible applicants from underserved communities.
Register & View Training Schedule:
https://www.mhaoforegon.org/current-trainings
Project PEER Applications:
https://www.mhaoforegon.org/project-peer
MONTHLY EXPUNGEMENT CLINIC — FREE DROP-IN LEGAL SERVICES
The Peer Company · Clear Clinic · Alano Club Partnership
Day & Time:
First Wednesday of every month · 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM PT (3:00 PM – 7:00 PM ET) · Portland
Last Wednesday of every month · 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM PT (3:00 PM – 7:00 PM ET) · Hillsboro
Next Drop-In: Wednesday, March 26 · 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM PT (3:00 PM – 7:00 PM ET) · Hillsboro Office
Platform: In-Person · Drop-ins welcome · Recurring monthly
Cost: FREE
Who Can Join: Individuals seeking expungement of Oregon records · The person whose record is being cleared must attend in person · Oregon records only
First Wednesday Location:
The Alano Club of Portland · 909 NW 24th Ave, Portland, OR
Last Wednesday Location:
5193 NE Elam Young Pkwy, Suite D, Hillsboro, OR
EMERGING LEADERS TRAINING — WAITLIST NOW OPEN
Leadership Development for Recovery Professionals
Day & Time: March 30, 2026 cohort at capacity · Next cohort date to be announced
Platform: In-Person
Cost: $169 per person · $139 per person for groups of 3 or more
Add your name to the waitlist to be first notified when new dates are announced — waitlist members receive priority registration before spots open publicly. Frameworks covered include Radical Candor · GROW Coaching · DiSC · and more — taught alongside peers who face the same unique challenges of leading in recovery-focused work.
Waitlist & Group Training Inquiries:
PEERPOCALYPSE 2026: ROOTED & RISING
National Peer Conference · May 4–7, 2026 · Waitlist Now Open
Day & Time: May 4–7, 2026 · In-person tickets currently held for scholarship applicants and presenters · Additional tickets to be released — join the waitlist to be notified
Platform: In-Person · Virtual (hybrid)
Cost: [VERIFY: ticket price not confirmed — waitlist only at this time]
Who Can Join: Peer support specialists · People with lived experience in mental health or addiction · Allies · Open to attendees from 10+ US states
An action-packed four-day national conference dedicated to peer support, wellness, and community. Dozens of workshops led by experts in peer support · 4 keynote speakers · Networking · CEU credit available for all workshops and keynotes · All registered attendees receive access to workshop recordings for 30 days following the event.
At last year’s conference: 60% of attendees identified as peers with lived experience in mental health and addiction · 20% as mental health peers · 20% as peers with lived experience of addiction.
Sponsorship opportunities remain available — connect with 1,000 peers across the country:
Join the Waitlist:
https://www.mhaoforegon.org/peerpocalypse-main-page
WHO WE HELP
- Individuals navigating mental health challenges and addiction recovery in Oregon
- People experiencing homelessness or housing instability
- Those seeking peer support, connection, and a path forward — regardless of where they are in their journey
- Peer support specialists seeking CEUs, certification, and professional development
- Recovery professionals seeking leadership training and workforce development
- Organizations and agencies seeking partnership, training, and community outreach collaboration
- Families and communities touched by behavioral health challenges
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Main Website:
OPTIC Training & eLearning Hub:
https://www.mhaoforegon.org/optic
Peer Pain Training (Free · Online · Self-Paced):
https://www.mhaoforegon.org/pain-training
PWS Training Schedule & Registration:
https://www.mhaoforegon.org/current-trainings
Project PEER (Stipend Funding Available):
https://www.mhaoforegon.org/project-peer
Peerpocalypse 2026 Waitlist:
https://www.mhaoforegon.org/peerpocalypse-main-page
Development & Community Engagement:
Emerging Leaders Training Waitlist:
CEU & Training Support:
ABOUT THE PEER COMPANY
The Peer Company, formerly known as MHAAO (Mental Health and Addiction Association of Oregon), is a peer-run behavioral health nonprofit with more than 35 years of experience serving Oregon and beyond. With 90% of staff and a majority of the board holding lived experience with mental health and addiction, the organization delivers trust-based, recovery-oriented peer support, workforce development, systems-change advocacy, and peer training through its Oregon Peer Training & Innovations Center (OPTIC) — all led by people who know the journey firsthand. In 2024, OPTIC offered 29 training cohorts including culturally-specific cohorts for LGBTQ+, in-custody, Spanish-language, African American, and veteran communities.
DISCLAIMER
Information is shared solely as a courtesy. Not a substitute for legal advice, professional treatment, or emergency services. If a person is in immediate danger, call 911 or contact local law enforcement. For mental health emergencies, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Peer support services are not a replacement for clinical treatment — please consult a qualified professional for medical or psychiatric needs. Expungement services are limited to Oregon records only — individuals must attend in person. Training costs and availability are subject to change — verify current details directly with The Peer Company.
ShareWell
SEVEN DAYS A WEEK
Sessions
Sessions are small, virtual video meetings that range from 3-16 people. This is where you can connect live with real people for peer support. Sessions are hosted by our community hosts who share your life experience. You can register for sessions in advance to hold your spot and and when the time comes, you enter the session directly from ShareWell, no downloads necessary!
Free Membership is required to participate use this link.
https://sharewellnow.com/
Free Membership
- Free access to all peer support sessions.
- Register for up to 3 sessions at a time.
- Book sessions happening within the next 7 days.
- Includes 1 free Pro session credit.
-
Ideal for those seeking connection, shared experiences, and mutual support
Browse from Hundreds of Sessions Each Week From Nine Categories and there 150 Topics.
BROWSE HERE
If you need to talk, the 988 Lifeline is here.
At the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, we understand that life’s challenges can sometimes be difficult. Whether you’re facing mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or just need someone to talk to, our caring counselors are here for you. You are not alone.
What to Expect
Calling the 988 Lifeline
Here is what you can expect when making a call to the 988 Lifeline.
Step 1 of 5
First, you’ll hear a message that gives you service selection options.
Listen to the pre-recorded message (mp3).
Step 2 of 5
We’ll play some hold music while you are connected to a counselor with our Spanish-language, LGBTQI+ services, or your local 988 Lifeline contact center. For veterans, the phone will ring until a counselor can answer your call.
Step 3 of 5
A counselor will say hello and introduce themselves.
Step 4 of 5
Your skilled counselor will ask you if you are safe.
Step 5 of 5
After they ask about your safety, your counselor will listen to you, understand how your problem is affecting you, provide support, and share any resources that may be helpful.
Chatting with the 988 Lifeline
Here is what you can expect when starting a chat with the 988 Lifeline.
Step 1 of 6
After clicking “Chat With Us,” a new window with a brief survey will open. This survey helps our counselors understand how to best support you and takes less than 5 minutes to complete.
Step 2 of 6
When you click “Start a Chat”, you are accepting our Terms of Service.
Step 3 of 6
You will then see a screen that indicates we are connecting you to a counselor.
Step 4 of 6
A counselor will say hello and introduce themselves.
Step 5 of 6
Your skilled counselor will ask if you are safe.
Step 6 of 6
After they ask about your safety, they will be calm and comforting, listen to you, and provide support. They may also share helpful resources.
Texting with the 988 Lifeline
Here is what you can expect when texting the 988 Lifeline.
Step 1 of 7
When you send a text to 988, you will be given options to connect with a counselor from the Veterans, Spanish-language, LGBTQI+ service, or the main 988 Lifeline.
Step 2 of 7
When you text “next” you will be accepting our Terms of Service.
Step 3 of 7
You will then need to complete a brief survey to help your counselor understand how they can best support you.
Step 4 of 7
You’ll receive a “wait” message with optional questions while we connect you to a counselor.
Step 5 of 7
Your counselor will say hello and introduce themselves.
Step 6 of 7
Your skilled counselor will ask if you are safe.
Step 7 of 7
After they ask about your safety, they will be calm and comforting, listen to you, and provide support. They may also share helpful resources.
Specific LGBTQ+ Support for Young Adults was Removed from 988 Lifeline
988 will still take calls; additional resources below.
Effective July 17, 2025
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is removing the “Press 3” option that connected LGBTQ+ youth to specialized, affirming counselors.
This change is the result of a federal budget cuts which eliminated funding for LGBTQ-specific services. General 988 support remains available, but LGBTQ+ youth will no longer have direct access to trained LGBTQ+ crisis counselors.
988 will still answer calls from everyone, but it will no longer offer identity-specific crisis support.
Alternatives for LGBTQ+ Youth in Crisis
-
The Trevor Project
Crisis support for LGBTQ+ youth (24/7)
Call: 1-866-488-7386
Text: START to 678678
Chat: thetrevorproject.org
-
Trans Lifeline
Peer-led crisis support for trans people (no non-consensual rescue)
Call: 877-565-8860
Website: translifeline.org
-
Q Chat Space
Live-chat support groups for LGBTQ+ youth (ages 13–19)
Website: qchatspace.org
-
LGBT National Youth Talkline
Confidential peer support (ages 25 & under)
Call: 1-800-246-7743
Website: lgbthotline.org
-
BlackLine
Peer support line prioritizing BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities
Call: 1-800-604-5841
Website: callblackline.com
-
StrongHearts Native Helpline
Support for Native LGBTQ+ individuals experiencing crisis or abuse
Call or Text: 1-844-762-8483
Website: strongheartshelpline.org
-
Rainbow Youth Project USA
Mental health crisis support and advocacy for LGBTQ+ youth
Call: 1-317-643-4888
Website: rainbowyouthproject.org
Disclaimer: We do not provide emergency services. This information is provided solely as a courtesy without warranty or guarantee of any kind whatsoever.
LAURA VAN TOSH TO HEADLINE PEERPOCALYPSE 2026
We are so excited to announce Laura Van Tosh will be joining us as a keynote speaker on Wednesday, May 6 at Peerpocalypse!
More in-person tickets to be released very soon!
Laura Van Tosh is a peer leader who has held influential policy roles across the country. For more than 40 years, she has been a leader in psychiatric survivor movements. Here work is grounded not only in policy work, but in lived experience.
At 17, Laura was involuntarily committed for the first time. She navigated a system that restrained her, medicated her, and offered little hope. She turned her experience into a lifetime of action: organizing street outreach programs for unhoused individuals, testifying before Congress, working on national homelessness policy, and serving as a Consumer Affairs Director at state hospitals where she fought to eliminate seclusion and restraint practices.
One of her proudest contributions was her advocacy work around the landmark 1999 Olmstead Supreme Court decision, the ruling that declared the institutionalization of people with disabilities as a form of unlawful discrimination. Laura wrote and educated nationally on why that ruling mattered, and helped bring peer voices to the forefront of that conversation.
Today, Laura is working alongside a new generation of advocates to push for non-coercive crisis response, racial inclusion, and systemic change in behavioral health.
We cannot wait for you to hear her speak.
TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
P.S. Laura’s closing words in this interview say it all: her life’s work has always been about freedom. “It’s not that people get well, it’s that the best place to recover is in the community… My goal has always been about that, it has always been about freedom of people, not just free from shackles, but freedom to create your own life.” Come hear her tell that story herself. Register for Peerpocalypse today.
At this time, remaining in-person tickets are being held for scholarship applicants who may need to purchase a ticket if they are not selected. More in-person tickets will be released in mid-March.
If you’d like to be notified when in-person tickets are re-released, please add your name to the waitlist interest form here.
Peerpocalypse 2026 will take place May 4-7 in Seaside, Oregon and online. All workshops and evening events will be accessible virtually through our event app, Whova. Virtual tickets are available here.
This year includes:
+ 45 workshops and a 4-part Ethics series
+ 4 keynote meals
+ Access to workshop and keynote recordings for one month after the conference and the opportunity to earn additional CEU credits by watching workshops you may have missed
PEERPOCALYPSE
MAY 4th – 7th , 2026
Register for Peerpocalypse 2026!
USE THIS LINK FOR PEERPOCALYPSE TICKETS
Join us from May 4th to May 7th, 2026 for an action-packed four-day conference dedicated to peer support, wellness, and community. Whether you’re a peer support specialist, someone with lived experience in mental illness or addiction, or an ally, Peerpocalypse welcomes you. With activities, gatherings, and dozens of workshops led by experts in the peer support field, Peerpocalypse is the perfect opportunity to deepen your knowledge, gain new skills, and connect with others in the peer movement. This event is ideal for peer support professionals looking to complete CEUs, as well as anyone interested in expanding their understanding of peer wellness. It’s also a unique opportunity to meet and network with other peers, learn from leading experts, and be part of a community dedicated to advancing the peer movement. All attendees will have access to workshop recordings for 30 days following the event to continue learning at their own pace.
If you are from an organization and are looking to send multiple people, email us at [email protected] to reserve your tickets now.
2026 SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS
Peerpocalypse 2026 scholarship applications are now open for Oregon residents and will be open until February 27th. Applicants are encouraged to apply for only one scholarship. Each scholarship listed below covers full conference registration, with varying types of additional support. Please review the options and choose the scholarship that best fits your qualifications and needs.
The Peer Company has partnered with the Office of Recovery & Resilience to offer a statewide scholarship for residents of Oregon who identify as being a peer, or as a consumer of behavioral health services. Check out the scholarship application here.
Oregon Statewide Veterans Scholarship
The Oregon Health Authority has partnered with The Peer Company to offer a Veterans and military-specific scholarship for individuals to attend the 13th Annual Peerpocalypse Conference. Applicants should identify as Veterans, active-duty service members, or family members of Veterans or active-duty service members with lived experience of mental health and/or substance use challenges, or work with Veterans or active-duty service members with lived experience of mental health and/or substance use challenges. Check out the scholarship application here.
OHCS Statewide Listening Session Scholarship
The Peer Company has partnered with Oregon Housing and Community Services to bring the community a scholarship designed for peers with recent lived experience (within the past 2 years) in the following areas and who are able to participate in an in-person, afternoon listening session taking place at Peerpocalypse on Wednesday, May 6: Houselessness, Housing insecurity, Recipient of housing and/or rental assistance, and/or Recipient of housing subsidies, including but not limited to Section 8 and HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) vouchers! Check out the scholarship application here. This scholarship application may close before February 27, once 32 applications have been received.
OHA Statewide IVPP Scholarship
In partnership with the Oregon Health Authority Injury and Violence Prevention Program through a CDC cooperative agreement, we are excited to offer Peerpocalypse scholarships for Oregon peers. To broaden access to support, connection, and educational opportunities for the peer support workforce, scholarships will be available to peers who are connected to peer support roles. Check out the scholarship application here. This scholarship application may close before February 27, once 30 applications have been received.
Any Questions? Reach out to us!
Have any questions about Peerpocalypse or want to connect on an opportunity? We’d love to hear from you! Reach out to us at [email protected].