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FALLS CHURCH, Virginia–The first group to complete the Peer Companion Program graduated on Sept. 7 at the James Lee Senior Center here. The program addresses the needs of seniors and torture survivors in the Vietnamese community in Northern Virginia.

The Peer Companion training is part of the Seniors and Trauma survivors Empowerment Program (STEP). STEP is a collaborative initiative among the Boat People SOS (BPSOS), George Mason University (GMU) and Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB).

            The graduation ceremony capped an intensive nine-month training program, including a two-day workshop on “Mental Health for Seniors,” with psychologist Dr. Toan Pham.

            Recognizing the signs and symptoms of mental health will be the focus as the 12 graduates begin their volunteer work in the community as Peer Companions. Each graduate attended 32 workshop sessions, learning various skills to help Vietnamese families.

Funding for this program, the first of its kind in the nation, is provided by a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

"This innovative approach was designed to address the scarcity of linguistically and culturally competent mental health services currently available," said Dr. Nguyen Dinh Thang, Executive Director of BPSOS, explained.

Remarked David S. Anderson, Ph.D., Professor and Director, Center for the Advancement of Public Health:  "It is exciting to be part of this innovative program to serve Vietnamese adults in a helpful way; ultimately, it’s all about an improved quality of life for all."

Graduates

The Peer Companions will focus on: Providing support and guidance for elders or family members; sharing information about local resources and services; giving presentations on health and mental health issues; engaging in discussions with others from a more informed perspective, and making referrals to local health and counseling services. The Peer Companions will also facilitate regular activities of peer support groups of seniors and trauma survivors.

Among the guests of honor at the ceremony were:  Penelope A Gross, Mason District Supervisor; Dr. John DeFee, Fairfax-Falls Church Community Service Board Mental Health Services Director;. Mary Kudless, Fairfax-Falls Church Central Services-Deputy Director; Dorothy Keenan, Senior Services, CRS Division Supervisor; Sandra Black, SAMHSA; and Cathy Hudgins, Hunter Mill District Director.

BPSOS is proud to include the Peer Companions as part of its outreach to empower communities. Applications are now being accepted for the next class for Peer Companion Training. For more information, call Hien Dang at (703) 538-2190.