Discover the vital role peer supports play in fostering resilience, empathy, and sustainable pathways to recovery. Join us on a journey to understand the power of human connection and how peer supports are shaping a more inclusive, compassionate, and supportive future for individuals and communities alike.

Learning objectives

• Comprehensive Understanding: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the role and significance of peer supports in mental health, addiction recovery, and community well-being.
• Human Connection in Recovery: Recognize the transformative power of human connection in the context of recovery, and how peer supports play a pivotal role in facilitating meaningful connections.
• Practical Applications: Understand practical applications of peer support methodologies, including effective communication, active listening, and collaboration within the peer support framework.

About the presenter: Dr. Mo (Melissa Dittberner), PhD, CPS, PS, LMT, is an award-winning lecturer in the Addiction Counseling and Prevention department at the University of South Dakota. She has a Ph.D. in Counseling and Psychology in Education, a master’s in Addiction Studies and a bachelor’s in Health Sciences. Dr. Mo is a TEDx speaker, prevention specialist and peer specialist. She is the CEO of Straight Up Care, a telehealth platform for peer specialist. Dr. Mo is the Executive Director of Midwest Street Medicine. She is a co-author of, The Alcohol Reset. She does research on college students’ substance use, pedagogy, addiction, trauma, body brokering, tattoos as healing and harm reduction. Dr. Mo is a person in long-term recovery and her mission is to empower individuals to learn and navigate their paths to recovery and well-being.