For public sector workers transforming behavioral health systems, engaging with stakeholders currently in crisis often means stepping into sensitive spaces–whether they are currently experiencing violence, homelessness, or severe mental illness. Collecting insights about their experience requires a trauma-informed approach to ensure the well-being of the participants as collaborators in the process. It’s about building trust, fostering psychological safety, and honoring the lived experiences of those you serve, while also protecting your own energy to truly show up and be present with your stakeholders.

At Third Sector, our Behavioral Health projects often

As the demand for behavioral health treatment skyrockets alongside rising staff vacancy rates, behavioral health agencies are facing a true crisis in building enough capacity to meet the need. After an extensive literature review and working with more than a dozen behavioral health agencies, Third Sector believes one of the most strategic shifts agencies can make to confront this crisis is to invest heavily in roles for individuals with lived experience, known as peers. 

Increasing peer positions and expanding peer responsibilities not only provides necessary staffing capacity, but is also an