Families across Tennessee can face many challenges when a loved one is dealing with mental health or substance use struggles. Needed support does not have to come only from doctors or counselors. The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) created the Certified Young Adult Peer Support Specialist (CYAPSS) program to add a new kind of assistance that feature professionals with lived experience who understand what families are going through (TDMHSAS website).
The CYAPSS program trains young adults ages 18 to 30 who have experienced mental health or substance use challenges and have at least one year of recovery or mental wellness. The training empowers those who have walked the road themselves to offer support in a real and relatable way. Families often say that hearing encouragement from someone who has “been there” brings hope, builds trust, and reduces feelings of isolation (learn more here).
One story highlights how powerful this connection can be. A young woman who once felt alone found comfort when a peer who had faced similar struggles shared her journey. That personal connection gave her courage and reminded her that recovery is possible. Today, she is using her own experience to guide others, showing families across the state that healing is possible (see her story here).
To become certified, peers complete 40 hours of ethics, listening, and support skills training. They also complete 75 hours of supervised volunteer or paid work, provide a recommendation, and submit a state application.
For Tennessee families, this program means more than one-on-one support. It creates a stronger network of care across communities. Families gain partners who understand their struggles, reduce stigma, and offer guidance grounded in lived experience. The result is healthier families, stronger communities, and a brighter future for young people across Tennessee.