Peer-run respites are for individuals 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 crises and avoid hospitalizations. For more information on how to manage stress and adapt to change, visit Resilient Wisconsin.
Three locations
Peer-run respites serve adults. Individuals self-refer. The prospective guest and staff at the peer-run respite determine whether the environment suits the individual'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.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services currently funds three peer-run respites.
COVID-19 information
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, overnight stays have been suspended at the peer-run respites. Support is still being offered over the phone.
Appleton
Iris Place
1213 S. Matthias Street
Appleton, WI 54915
920-815-3217
Email
Facebook page
5 Bedrooms
(Managed by
NAMI Fox Valley)
Madison
Solstice House
2649 Milwaukee Street
Madison, WI 53704
608-244-5077
Email
Facebook page
4 Bedrooms
(Managed by SOAR Case Management Services)
Menomonie
Monarch House
820 N. Broadway Street
Menomonie, WI 54751
715-505-5641
Email
Facebook page
4 Bedrooms
(Managed by Wisconsin Milkweed Alliance)
Veterans can call R&R House for support
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services has awarded Mental Health America of Wisconsin a grant to develop and manage a peer-run respite home for veterans. This home is expected to open in Pewaukee later this year. For now, veterans can call 262-336-9540 to talk about life's challenges with another a veteran trained to offer support. This hotline is available 24/7. It is open to all active duty service members, former service members, and their families. If you are experiencing a crisis situation, call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 (press 1). Call 911 in a life threatening emergency.
The Parachute House in Milwaukee serves Milwaukee County residents. It is not funded by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
