Guam, CNMI join forces for Peer Support

Lady Diann Torres with members of Tohge Guam (Jeremiah Santos and Brian Hahn) Islas-Aramas representative from Saipan Emerlita Camacho, representatives from Tinian Lucy Hocog, Jovita Paulino, and Tania Marie Mendiola, and representative from Rota Kaye Christian. (Contributed Photo)

Islas-Aramas Peer Support Group CNMI, in collaboration with Tohge Guam, are individuals who have gained knowledge, skills, and tools to be a support system for those in the CNMI community struggling with substance abuse and mental health. A non-profit organization who have gone through extensive training covering all grounds and focusing on recovery.

“Recovery is a personal journey of discovery. It involves making sense of, and finding meaning in what has happened; becoming an expert in your own self-care; building a new sense of self purpose in life; discovering your own resourcefulness and possibilities and using these, and the resources available to you, to pursue your aspirations and goals, ” it said in a statement.

On Friday, Jan. 25, as one Marianas: Guam, Saipan, Tinian, and Rota the members of I-A Peer joined forces with Tohge Guam for the QPR/Gatekeeper Training. Joined as one, making history these peer groups have been working together for the past year.

On Saturday, Jan. 26, a Cheers for Peers Meet & Greet gathering was held, for the first time Peers from all the islands meet in one place and also to congratulate the eight certified peer specialists regionally or internationally. These eight members were certified by the Pacific Behavioral Collaborating Council and the Certification Board sanctioning the certification of Peer Recovery Specialists within the Pacific Jurisdiction. There are currently 13 members who are currently working on their certification. Peer specialists also received training from Robyn Priest from Australia who is a consultant at the Centre for Innovation in Peer Support, also a Consultant and Lead Project Coordinator at Peerlink National Technical Assistance Centre.

Tohge Guam has been working together, and dedicating their time with I-A Peer CNMI providing training, support and most importantly their heartfelt volunteering for the CNMI community for the Typhoon Yutu recovery. “Recovery” is the key word to what Tohge and I-A peer do for their communities.

I-A Peer and Tohge Guam would like send a special thank you to Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and first lady Diann, Office of the Mayor Tinian, Northern Marianas Protection & Advocacy Systems Inc., KKMP FM Radio, Marianas Behavioral Health International, Community Guidance Center, Systems of Care, Substance Abuse Addiction & Rehabilitation, and many more. (PR)