Letter from the PRA Chair

Dear Friends,

The holidays are a time each year for us to gather with family and friends. However, for many children, young adults, adults and families in communities everywhere, the holidays can be a lonely and difficult period. The lack of social, emotional, environmental and financial wellness can be particularly stressful for individuals. Our profession of psychiatric rehabilitation has been an advocate over the last 15 years for improved wellness for individuals living with mental health and addiction issues. We have worked through our programs, research and advocacy to provide opportunities and inspiration to assist people to set and achieve their wellness goals.  

One of our chapters, MassPRA, has recently responded to SAMHSA’s wellness initiative to reduce the health disparities of individuals with mental health and substance-use challenges with an invitation to join a Community of Practice in Wellness Coaching. A Community of Practice (CoP) is a group of people who share a passion for something they do and then interact on a regular basis, which then elevates everyone’s learning and skills. MassPRA’s Wellness Coaching CoP aims to train people to learn the skills needed to support people in setting and achieving their wellness goals, especially those people who are living with serious health issues.  Participants will also learn how to inspire other staff to understand the urgency of these issues in promoting a life, long and well-lived.  

I am thankful for MassPRA’s initiative—it speaks to our chapters and the larger PRA & PRF commitment and actualization of values and evidenced-based practice and education for our workforce. Our mission is vitally important—to promote the wellness and recovery of individuals and to train the recovery workforce. Your support of PRA & PRF is also vital. We are nothing without you all. Please consider supporting PRA & PRF  this year.  

Wishing you wellness and community this year,

Dori