Fighting stigma can be more difficult than fighting our mental health challenges.
Sharing Our Lives, Voices and Experiences
Sharing our Lives: Voices and Experiences (SOLVE) is a stigma elimination program. SOLVE trains peer educators to share their personal experiences with mental illness, reducing the social barriers that prevent mentally ill people from obtaining treatment. The Surgeon General estimates that one in four people are affected by mental illness, and peer education and support effectively corrects misinformation.
The SOLVE Speakers Bureau consists of an array of San Franciscans who have first-hand experience with mental illness and would like to share their stories of struggle, hope and triumph with your community.
Our Mission: SOLVE aims to decrease the fear, shame and isolation of those with mental illness through peer education by people with personal connections to mental illness.
Watch several PEER EDUCATORS share some of their stories of struggle with and triumph over mental illness:
Are you or someone you love living with a mental illness?
Do you have a story of struggle, hope and triumph that you would like to share?
SOLVE is looking to fill the Speakers Bureau with enthusiastic, friendly and outgoing Peer Educators. We are seeking individuals who have experienced mental illness personally or relationally, who understand the difficulties of sustaining one’s mental health, and who want to help others who are experiencing similar circumstances. The Speakers Bureau is designed to reflect the diversity of San Francisco.
Peer Educators commit to the following requirements:
a minimum of 8 months commitment to the program participation in two 3-hour training sessions at MHA-SF offices completion of one practice presentation a minimum of one community presentation per month MHA-SF will provide:
- $240 stipend for your eight month participation
- Access to quarterly communication trainings by leading experts
- Bi-monthly peer educator support networking gatherings and feedback sessions
If you’re interested, please complete a SOLVE Peer Educator application and e-mail it to
terri@mentalhealthsf.org.
SOLVE is a multi-faceted program with several core activities.
Community Education and Interaction:
SOLVE delivers community presentations throughout San Francisco. Presentations are interactive and packed with information; they include a combination of peer education and resources. To book a presentation, download and complete the Speaker Request Form and email it to terri@mentalhealthsf.org or fax it to 415-421-2928. Please send presentation requests at least one month in advance of your desired date. Due to a large volume of requests, we may not be able to schedule your desired date. We will do our best to accommodate your preferred date and time.
Peer Support Groups:
Peer Educators bravely share personal experiences in the fight to eliminate stigma. MHA-SF recognizes their need for support, and facilitates peer support groups on a bi-monthly basis to maintain and support the mental health of all Peer Educators.
Peer Support Group meets 3rd Monday of Every Month : 10am -12 noon
Training Sessions:
Sharing one’s story is no easy task, and SOLVE offers quarterly training sessions to all Peer Educators. These trainings help educators learn how to conduct engaging presentations, communicate effectively with diverse audiences, and work with media.
Our SOLVE Advanced Training is scheduled:
4th Tuesday (every other Month)
10:30 am -12:30 pm
Terri Facilitating : WRAP – SEPT 25
Light Lunch Provided
Our training programs are facilitated by leading community experts:
David Perry, Renn Vara, and Carmen Lee.
Other Stigma Reduction Programs
Take a look at some other national and international stigma reduction programs:
If you or someone you love is in need of assistance, please refer to our online resource booklet and service links.
