Quarterly Newsletter
Volume 1| April 20th, 2021
Our Mission Statement: MHAAO is an inclusive peer-run organization dedicated to self-direction honoring the voice of lived experience
Peer Hairstyle Makeovers
Award-winning Portland hairstylist, Allie Martinez, was moved to donate her time and talents to give mental health & addiction peers a fresh new look deserving of the hard work they’ve put into their recovery!

Watch the short video above to witness their transformation (4.5 minutes).

Visit our website mhaoforegon.org to find out how YOU can get connected with a Peer Support Specialist! Follow us on Instagram @mhaoforegon and the #peersupportstrong​ for more stories about the power of peer support!

If you’re interested in booking a hairstyle appointment with Allie, visit her website at alliemartinezhairstylist.com.
Virtual Support Groups

Wednesdays at 10:00 am PST

PS4PSS can help reduce compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma, secondary traumatic stress, moral distress, and burnout. PS4PSS provides trauma-informed support that is person-centered, goal-oriented, solution-based, and time-limited.

First and third Thursdays starting on May 20th from 3-4:30 pm PST


Weekly every Wednesday from 3-4:30 pm PST
PeerZone is a series of peer-led workshops for people who experience mental distress and addiction that explore topics like work, relationships, self-acceptance, and many more. The workshops are a combination of peer support and recovery education and provide a fun, interactive, safe structure for participants to share their experiences, learn self-management, and expand their horizons.
Facilitated by Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon, each call will feature live consult and discussion. Topics will include: increasing familiarity with peer-delivered services, developing job descriptions, designing peer programs, hiring for peer positions, documentation, supervision, workforce training and professional development, and more! These calls are intended for peer support specialists, supervisors of peer support specialists, and administrators of peer-delivered services and programs.
Desktop UnCalendar
Order your physical copy of MHAAO's classic "UnCalendar!"

This is a perpetual calendar with daily mindfulness prompts, meant to draw your attention back to the present and help you find the magic in everyday moments.

MHAAO has reimagined the UnCalendar in vivid colors with a sleek new design. Printed in heavy-weight card stock, with a durable wooden stand, you can enjoy this item for years to come!
PWS Training Highlight
Brian Riordan, a recent graduate of MHAAO's Peer Wellness Specialist (PWS) training and newly certified Traditional Health Worker (THW), shared his experience taking the virtual 80-hour course:
"I wasn't sure what to expect when this training began but I immediately found energy and hope in the faces beaming back at me. It was the open, honest and vulnerable exchange of experiences coupled with the eager willingness to learn new perspectives that have motivated me, and I continue to marvel at.

This class has been eye-opening not only from a standpoint of keen self-awareness but it has also reaffirmed a belief in me that I have worth, and I perhaps can affect real positive change in a time where it is so desperately needed. It will be my story, and my struggles, my fears, and my strength, my empathy, and my desire that will guide me to share hope for recovery, for we all deserve recovery. 
I especially want to thank the facilitators Emily and Molly for the combined effort to make this interactive, fun, and difficult. But mostly it's been so meaningful and such a valuable introduction to what it means to be a Peer and the importance of the Peer program. You’ve inspired me and I am filled with a sense of gratitude that’s not quantifiable."
Peer Impact Stories
Bryan Corley
EVOLVE Peer Support Specialist for JOIN

"I had a peer reach out to me expressing that she is feeling like she is at her wit's end with all the stress that she's currently experiencing.

After our conversation, I helped her to see a lot of the positives (stable housing, sustained recovery, strong support team, etc). She agreed that she has lots to be grateful for and is now looking on the optimistic side of things.

Big thumbs up to the peer!!!"
Amber Lakin
EVOLVE Peer Support Specialist for Clackamas County Behavioral Health Unit (BHU)

"My peer has had many encounters with the criminal justice system over the years. She spent many years living outdoors.

While struggling with mental health and addiction, it was hard for her to stay engaged with the help that was provided. However, this did not stop her from working towards the things she wanted.

After the last time she spent in jail, she went straight into a recovery home. From there, she has maintained her recovery from addiction, has stable supportive housing, and just got a new job. She stuck with her goals, even when it was challenging. That's a huge success!"
Geoff Moser
EVOLVE Peer Support Specialist for Kaiser

"I've been supporting this peer for the past 6 months, and their hard work has been paying off! This peer has over 5 months in recovery from addiction and is continuing on with multiple aftercare treatment groups for additional support!

Additionally, this peer recently quit their job in the service industry and got a new job in a new industry. This peer shares that they are doing great in their new job and are much less stressed out.

It's been an honor to share in this part of their journey and shows that people in recovery can be incredibly brave and inspiring when they're willing to trust the process and do the work."
Ways to Give
You can make a profound difference in a peer's life.
Make a one-time gift and help MHAAO provide critical peer services to those seeking recovery from mental health and addiction challenges...

Or, you can become a Peer Partner and join a special group of monthly donors who serve as the backbone of support we rely upon to serve our peers. Support us in our mission to spread the message that recovery is possible for everyone.
MHAAO Job Board
Are you a peer seeking employment for an organization you believe in? Look no further! Our job board is here to help you find your dream job. We post both internal positions, as well as open positions with some of our community partners. Check it out here!

MHAAO is growing quickly as an organization to meet the unprecedented need for peer services in Multnomah, Clackamas, and Washington County. We are currently hiring for two full-time PSS/CRM-certified peers. We post new positions frequently, so keep an eye out for your next career move!
#PeerSupportStrong
Are you active on social media?

Use #PeerSupportStrong and tag us @mhaoforegon on Instagram and LinkedIn!

Use this hashtag to share peer support moments, or use it to share how you're coping during this time!

We'll spread the love and feature your post on our Instagram and Facebook Stories!