Introduction

Who We Are

REACH (Recovery Education and Creative Healing) is a peer-run program providing education and training on recovery and wellness for adults with mental illness.  We provide skills for monitoring symptoms, decreasing the severity and frequency of symptoms, and improving the quality of life.

We foster cooperation and understanding between service providers and peers.  REACH is an important part of Virginia's Restructuring process and we look forward to a recovery-based system of care.

Why We Are Here

The purpose of REACH is to advance the principles of mental health recovery to peers and service providers.

Wellness management is a vital piece of the recovery picture for individuals with mental illness.

It is also crucial that providers understand and support these principles because a system of care that supports recovery can only happen when there is a partnership between service providers and peers.

What Does REACH Do?

• Provide Training on Recovery and Wellness to peers and providers
• Equip peers with Skills for Monitoring and Decreasing the Severity and Frequency of Symptoms (WRAP)
• Foster Cooperation and Understanding between service providers and peers
• Promotes self-discovery and self-determination through improving life skills and investing in personal health management

REACH is Available

• For presentations on recovery and WRAP for staff development, Clubhouses, conferences, seminars, board meetings, etc.  REACH's fee is $50 for the first hour, and $25 for each subsequent hour up to a total of 6 hours per day, plus expenses. Please call the REACH office at 757-618-1650 or toll-free at 866-647-9500 to check our schedule and discuss topics.
• To provide WRAP training, assistance and support in starting WRAP groups.
• For consultation on implementing recovery-based principles in your organization

How We Got Started

See our "Dreams Do Come True" page.

What's on the horizon

John Otenasek is the new program director. John is a consumer/provider with fifteen years experience working in the mental health care system. In the coming years we hope to bring the message of recovery to all parts of the Commonwealth. With the next facilitator training scheduled for the Fall of 2008, applications are now being accepted.

Please access the application featured on line at this website. REACH is planning a refresher workshop and reunion for all it's WRAP facilitators in May. This will be a one day/one night event offered free of charge. We will review the WRAP curriculum and how we can improve our delivery in class. There will also be conversation on how we can support each other. Stay tuned for more information via the einternet and by phone for those without a computer.