Peer support saves lives, reduces relapse, and strengthens recovery — yet too often, it's undervalued and underfunded. In this episode, hosts Juliet Dorris-Williams and Gabe Howard sit down with longtime recovery advocate Cheri Walter to explore why peer services matter and how advocacy can amplify their impact.
Cheri, a person in long-term recovery and board member of The P.E.E.R. Center, brings 40 years of experience in Ohio's mental health and addiction systems. She explains why peers are not a replacement for clinical care — but rather an essential complement that helps people thrive, avoid crisis, and stay connected. Together, they discuss the urgent need for sustainable funding, the risks of over-professionalizing peer work, and the power of peers leading at every level of decision-making.
If you've ever wondered how to strengthen the recovery movement or why advocacy is critical right now, this conversation offers both inspiration and practical next steps. Listen now!
