A spirit of honesty, healing, and collective responsibility defined a recent conversation between GPS Group Peer Support CEO Liz Friedman and Black community leaders, pastors, organizers, and mental health advocates from Springfield, Massachusetts.
Many participants shared that before joining GPS support groups, they rarely had structured opportunities to talk openly with colleagues about the emotional impact of their work. Unfortunately, this experience isn’t unusual. In many helping professions, the expectation is to stay composed and move on to the next task.
Recently, MASStrong partnered with New England Life Care (NELC) to offer a structured GPS support group for their home infusion nurses. Their responses to post-support group surveys tell a powerful story about what happens when caregivers are given space to slow down and connect.
When people work in recovery, peer support, and community care, they often spend their days holding space for others. But where do they go to pause, reflect, and be supported?
Recently, staff from Choice Recovery Coaching from Greenfield, MA came together for a focus group to share their experiences with GPS training and GPS support groups. What emerged was a powerful picture of connection, safety, and healing, not just for individuals in recovery, but for the people who support recovery every day.
“Being part of GPS has given me the opportunity to both grow in my own practice and to walk alongside others in a truly compassionate and supportive space.” — Laela Bisgrove, Perinatal Behavioral Health Coach and GPS Facilitator Laela Bisgrove’s first experience with GPS —introduced to her through her work with Postpartum Support International— was…
“[La] capacitación llegó en el momento adecuado en el lugar indicado, o sea, todo cayó del cielo. La verdad me ayudó a centrarme un poco. A dejar el miedo a saltar, cabeza fría, cuerpo caliente, entonces poder actuar.” — Andrea H., Organizadora Principal en Heartland Workers Center y participante de la Capacitación de Facilitadores (English…
