By Tiffany Williams –
High school can be a challenging environment for even the most well-adjusted students, but for Aidan Avery, who navigates life on the autism spectrum, it presents an additional layer of complexity, stress, and uncertainty.
Aidan attended a specialized high school tailored for students with diverse learning abilities and behavioral challenges located in Richmond Hill, Queens, New York. While the school touted its mission of inclusivity, Aidan’s experience fell short of his expectations, leaving him feeling isolated and misunderstood.
“I appreciated the learning environment,” Aidan said. “But as far as the other kids, and making friends with them, that was triggering and traumatic. Whether I was angry at myself or angry at another student, even if the other student didn’t necessarily do anything to warrant it, out of frustration that I couldn’t communicate or be friends with them, I acted out.”
In 2009, after observing a notable shift in Aidan’s mood toward negativity, his concerned parents took action. They enrolled him in behavioral health services at NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens, where he received personalized, one-on-one therapy sessions that continued until he turned 18. This support was crucial in helping him develop coping strategies during his formative years.
After his high school graduation, Aidan pursued higher education at Queens College, where he dedicated himself to earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, which he completed in 2020. However, as the world grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic, Aidan found himself feeling lost and disconnected from his community. The isolation brought on by the pandemic triggered a resurgence of the feelings of shame and self-doubt that had accompanied his autism diagnosis throughout his adolescence.
“One-on-one counseling helped me process my thoughts and emotions carefully, and it gave me a platform to freely express myself and be heard,” he said.
In search of support, Aidan returned to the resources provided by Queens Hospital. He enrolled in the Partial Hospitalization Program, attending outpatient group therapy sessions for six weeks, which played a significant role in rebuilding his confidence and resilience. During this time, his therapist introduced him to Gita Enders, the Director of Peer Services at NYC Health + Hospitals, who was at the helm of launching the Peer Academy. This innovative program trains individuals with lived experiences of mental health or substance use challenges to become peer counselors, a vital role in the behavioral health field that is often hard to fill.
The Peer Academy stands out for its comprehensive approach, combining self-directed learning with structured classroom hours that are essential for obtaining State certifications as a Certified Peer Specialist for mental health and a Certified Recovery Peer Advocate for substance use. Aidan saw this as an opportunity not only to define his own path but also to connect with others who share similar experiences.
After applying and gaining acceptance into the inaugural cohort of the program, Aidan discovered a sense of belonging that had eluded him in high school. The Peer Academy has since successfully graduated 110 trainees, 40 of whom are currently employed within the NYC Health + Hospitals system, with several advancing to higher titles of Peer Counselor or Community Health Worker.
Upon completing the program, Aidan was offered a position as a Peer Counselor in the Peer Health Coach Program at NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst. In this role, he facilitates group therapy workshops and provides one-on-one counseling to patients facing mental health challenges in inpatient psychiatry units. Aidan’s journey through the Peer Academy profoundly impacted his life; he now harnesses his past struggles to guide and support others, fostering their recovery.
As of today, NYC Health + Hospitals has proudly graduated over 100 peer counselors from its Peer Academy since the program’s inception in December 2021. The Peer Academy plays a crucial role in recruiting and training community members with personal experiences of mental health or substance use issues, enabling them to become certified peer counselors who can provide integral support to behavioral health patients in hospitals and other healthcare settings.
The 12-week program integrates both classroom and hands-on training at NYC Health + Hospitals, with tuition covered entirely for participants. Peer counselors, due to their unique perspectives, are exceptionally well-positioned to aid patients with multifaceted and co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, allowing them to connect on a more personal level by sharing their own recovery journeys.
NYC Health + Hospitals currently employs over 100 peer counselors, making it one of the largest employers of peers in New York City. Notably, nearly 40% of those peer counselors are graduates of the Peer Academy.
Applicants chosen for the Peer Academy undergo rigorous in-person classroom and online training focused on mental health and addiction services, alongside internships throughout the behavioral health system. The curriculum draws from a variety of successful models, including Peer Support for the 21st Century, utilized effectively in Arizona and California, as well as substance use recovery training recognized by the New York Certification Board, among others. Internship rotations encompass critical areas such as inpatient and ambulatory psychiatry, chemical dependency programs, medical emergency departments, and Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program (CPEP) services.
Throughout the training, participants learn to engage with individuals in crisis, facilitate connections to appropriate care, and navigate community resources effectively. They are also educated on how to leverage their lived experiences to benefit patients while maintaining necessary boundaries. Additionally, the program features work readiness and professional development workshops led by seasoned training staff who themselves have valuable peer practitioner experience. The program culminates in a two-month, full-time hospital-based internship that provides essential exposure across various units, including inpatient mental health, emergency care, and outreach initiatives. Peer Academy staff continue to support graduates by assisting them in their job search for up to six months post-graduation.
Overall, the Peer Academy not only equips participants with the essential hours needed for State certifications but also fosters a sense of purpose and community, empowering individuals like Aidan to turn their past challenges into meaningful support for others on their recovery journeys.
“Meeting other people who have similar experiences made me feel like it’s not just me who feels this way. It’s not just me who feels hopeless and doesn’t have a routine. There are others I could embark on this journey with,” he said.
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest provider of behavioral health in New York City. The system provides almost 60% of behavioral health services citywide, serving over 75,000 patients annually across emergency, inpatient, and outpatient care.
To apply for the NYC Health + Hospitals Peer Academy program, eligible New Yorkers must be at least 18 years of age, have a high school diploma or GED/TASC, and have lived experience of a mental health or substance use challenge. Those interested and eligible can contact OBHPeerAcademy@nychhc.org. Program managers are available to assist with the application process.