Independent Perspective #1631

Guest:  Leslie Saunders

Topic:  People Who Need People Virtual Support Group

Duration:  05:36

Published:  February 4, 2021

Host:  Welcome to Independent Perspective, a public affairs presentation of Western New York Independent Living. Our guest today is Leslie Saunders, Peer Support Specialist with Mental Health PEER Connection and your host is yours truly, Ernie Churchwell. Welcome to the program, Leslie.

Guest:  Hello Ernie.

Host:  Of course in this days of the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of support groups that our consumers rely on to help them deal with issues in their lives are not practical to meet on a person-to-person basis, so they are going virtual and meeting with an online connection. What's the name of the group that you facilitate that helps individuals?

Guest:  The name of the group is People Who Need People, kind of reminiscent of a song from days past.

Host:  My thoughts exactly. Can you tell me who your group is intended to assist?

Guest:  This group is designed to specifically target individuals who are in early recovery stage, those who have been encouraged to attend some type of in-person, self-help group that promotes better wellness, mental wellness, and abstinence from substance abuse. But with COVID-19 and not having the ability to make new associations, it was decided let's do a virtual meeting and give people the opportunity to get together that way so that they maintain some type of connection or the opportunity for connection to the community.

Host:  Sounds like a sterling way to approach things. And so, this is for anybody who's in recovery from substance use situation? Is it for friends and family as well?

Guest:  It's for individuals who have a substance use disorder, a mental health diagnosis or both. With regards to family, we have a Family 2 Family support group, and I would encourage family members to try that group first. That sounds like it would be a more appropriate group because I, as a person in recovery, may not want my mother to hear some of my actions in the years that I’m trying to get away from. So, we would encourage family members to attend a different group.

Host:  If people who are interested in that, they could probably talk to Melissa, the Program Assistant, at extension 170, correct?

Guest:  The best way would be to contact me directly at 836-0822 extension 163. I’ll have a small conversation with you. One of the things that's important is that we protect the confidentiality of everyone who attends, so a process has been developed that everyone, including myself, must follow in order to help ensure privacy. So, I would need to talk with the people first.

Host:  Talk to the people in terms of participating in People Who Need People?

Guest:  Yes.

Host:  Believe it or not, we're actually coming near the end of our allotted time. If you could remind people once more of the number to call so that they can get in touch with you and discuss possible participation.

Guest:  Yes, you will call 716-836-0822 ext. 163, that's the telephone on my desk, we'll take it from there together, you and I. That's how you would join in to become a participant. I can send you a unique access code. And we welcome participation from all who are seeking overall wellness and a better quality of life.

Host:  Thanks so much for being with us, Leslie.

Guest:  Thank you, Ernie.

Host:  You’ve been listening to Independent Perspective, a public affairs presentation of Western New York Independent Living. Our guest today was Leslie Saunders, Peer Support Specialist with Mental Health PEER Connection and your host is yours truly, Ernie Churchwell.