Lived experience is one of our most powerful resources for healing. If you have navigated the challenges of mental health or substance use conditions and found a path to recovery, your story has the power to change lives, dismantle stigma, and build a more compassionate community. One of the most impactful ways to use your experience is by becoming a Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS).
For those of us in the recovery community, the intersection of the criminal justice system and behavioral health is an all-too-familiar reality. Too often, jails become default holding centers for individuals experiencing mental health crises or substance use disorders. In late 2025, Salt Lake County leaders engaged the Leifman Group—led by Judge Steve Leifman, renowned for his transformative work in Miami-Dade County—to evaluate local systems and provide actionable recommendations. The resulting report, outlines a roadmap for how Salt Lake County can improve public safety, reduce recidivism, and enhance outcomes for those with behavioral health needs.
Recovery is a deeply personal journey, but it requires systemic support. One of the most critical factors in whether someone can sustain long-term recovery is their access to reliable healthcare. Without it, individuals often struggle to navigate the complex hurdles of treatment and rehabilitation. In Utah, Medicaid and the Targeted Adult Medicaid program serve as vital lifelines for behavioral health.
For decades, the healthcare system treated substance use disorders and mental health conditions as two entirely separate issues. If someone sought help for depression while also struggling with alcohol use, they were often told to “get sober first” before their mental health could be addressed. Or conversely, their mental health was treated while their addiction was largely ignored. Today, we know that this siloed approach is not only ineffective but can be actively harmful. The reality is that mental health and substance use are deeply intertwined.
A Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) is a trained professional who uses their own lived experience with substance use or mental health challenges to help others navigate similar paths. They are not just well-meaning volunteers. In Utah, a CPSS undergoes rigorous state-approved training and certification. They are taught how to ethically share their story, provide trauma-informed care, set healthy boundaries, and connect individuals with community resources.
One of the most common and heartbreaking barriers to seeking help for a substance use disorder is the fear of losing your livelihood. Many individuals know they need treatment but hesitate to ask for time off, worried that simply admitting a struggle will lead to immediate termination. If you are employed in Utah and need…
When you or a loved one is taking those first courageous steps toward healing, figuring out where to find that support can feel overwhelming. The behavioral health system is complex, and knowing where to start is half the battle. Here is a guide to navigating the continuum of care and finding trusted recovery resources right here in Utah.
External stigmas are real and incredibly damaging. But there is another type of stigma that rarely makes the headlines, yet it can be the heaviest burden to carry. It’s the stigma that lives quietly inside our own minds. We call it self-stigma, and it is one of the most silent but formidable barriers to lasting recovery.
For thousands of Utahns, instead of a clear path to care, they are met with a labyrinth of prior authorizations, arbitrarily denied claims, and “fail first” policies that require them to try cheaper, less effective treatments before getting the help they actually need. This isn’t just frustrating; it’s life-threatening. And what’s worse? It’s illegal.
Recovery from mental health and substance use conditions is a deeply personal journey, often requiring immense courage and resilience. However, the impact of recovery extends far beyond the individual. It holds the power to transform communities, challenge systemic barriers, and shape a more compassionate future for everyone. This is precisely why the active participation of people in recovery in advocacy and public policy efforts is not just beneficial—it’s absolutely essential.
