Clients must be referred
by a qualified mental health professional who is engaged in an ongoing clinical
relationship with the client. A
mental health professional must be trained or licensed in social work,
psychology, case management or be a medical doctor. The mental health professional must know
the client, see him/her for treatment on a regular basis and be willing to be
consulted for intervention and consultation as situations or crisis
occur.
Clients must have a primary diagnosis of
mental illness and be appropriate for referral to the Compeer program. Appropriate clients are:
- Clients who would
benefit from the kind of social interaction a volunteer friend
provides;
- Willing and
desiring to be matched with a volunteer friend;
- Willing to
participate in a volunteer program
- Dependable in
keeping appointments and returning phone calls;
- Not currently
homeless, at risk of becoming homeless, in prison or
hospitalized;
- Clients who have
at least a rudimentary insight into their illness and are aware of the
importance of maintaining a professional therapeutic alliance with the referring
mental health professional throughout the duration of the Compeer
match.
- Note: Referrals of
individuals with a history of criminal activity or felony, physically or
sexually aggressive behavior, fire-starting, and/or a diagnosis of narcissistic
or antisocial personality disorder and/or dementia should first be discussed
with a Compeer staff member to determine appropriateness.