A global footprint was created for Via Hope with opportunities spreadheaded by Dr. Smith.
Background
In October 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR) jointly launched new guidance to improve legislation addressing human rights abuses in mental health care. This comprehensive legal guidance aims to address a global need for training and support in the areas of the legal system, government officials, and multiple health organizations, with an emphasis on peer support.
Inspired by the virtual global launch of this event and our commitment to promoting and expanding wellness and recovery through peer support, Via Hope is excited to be part of the global movement towards increasing access to rights-based and community-based mental health care.
Via Hope’s First International Training
In May 2024, Via Hope facilitated our first international training to an audience of 22 individuals who will supervise Reentry Peer Specialists in Uruguay. “Uruguay Reentry Peer Specialist Oversight” provided guidance on formalized peer support and the Reentry Peer Specialist role, in which formerly incarcerated individuals help each other through the recovery process. This training is part of a broader initiative by the U.S. Embassy to change the stigma around incarceration and achieve more equitable outcomes for system-impacted individuals.