Peer-Run Respites

Peer-run respites are for people living with mental health or substance use concerns. These places offer a supportive, home-like environment during times of increased stress or symptoms. Guests schedule overnight stays. Most guests stay for no longer than one week.

Self-directed recovery

Peer-run respites provide opportunities for support from people who have experienced similar life struggles. Staff are trained in how to help others improve their quality of life.

Guests share their recovery goals, which may include connecting with community resources, engaging in wellness activities like art or exercise, or finding a safe space for healing. There isn’t a doctor on staff, and there’s no medication management or therapy. Staff assist guests in accessing community behavioral health services, if desired. Guests are free to come and go for school, work, family, and other responsibilities.

The goal of this program is to help people avert mental health and substance use crisis situations and avoid hospitalizations. For more information on how to manage life's ups and downs, visit Resilient Wisconsin.

Five locations

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services currently funds five peer-run respites. A sixth state-funded peer-run respite is expected to open soon.

Wisconsin's peer-run respites serve adults. Individuals self-refer. The prospective guest and staff at the peer-run respite determine whether the environment suits the person's needs. All services are voluntary and provided at no cost to the guest.

Peer-run respites are not drop-in centers. Prospective guests must contact staff themselves prior to their stay. Providers may encourage clients to contact a peer-run respite, but can't initiate a stay for an individual.

Staff at the peer-run respites also provide support over the phone at no cost for people who just need to talk to someone.