Making friends.
Changing lives.

Compeer Results

The Compeer model is recognized as a best practice for recovery
by the American Psychological Association.

Compeer’s programs are routinely recognized for achieving measurable results:

• Our volunteer mentoring relationships build self-confidence and independence.
• Our programs save precious health-care dollars by reducing hospitalization costs.
• All those involved in our programs – the people we serve, volunteers and therapists – give us outstanding effectiveness ratings, ranging from 87 percent to 99 percent satisfaction.

In an annual survey of Compeer locations of people served, therapists and volunteers involved in our programs, all reported outstanding improvement in several areas.

Youth 1:1 program participants reported:

• 86% improvement in self-esteem
• 83% improvement in concern for others
• 80% improvement in interaction with others
• 76% improvement in school functioning
• 76% improvement in being future-oriented

In the Adult 1:1 programs, respondents reported:

• 83% improvement in feeling cared about
• 78% improvement in feeling understood
• 76% improvement in decreased loneliness
• 74% improvement in self-esteem

Success Stories

Carol of Naples, Fla., who credits Compeer with saving her life. Carol contemplated suicide many times before getting a Compeer friend. She writes, "Compeer has helped me to stay out of the hospital and it has also helped me to maintain my stability. There were many times I was so discouraged that I would love to permanently end the pain - forever. I no longer want to curl up and cry. Compeer has made such a difference in my life; it is literally my support system and lifeline."

Jeff from Philadelphia, who made the transition from a mental-health consumer to a Compeer volunteer. "I have been a consumer for more than 30 years, being diagnosed with schizophrenia a month before my high-school graduation. I know firsthand how it feels to be lonely and isolated, and I wanted to be able to help someone overcome these feelings. I believe having friends and doing things in the community builds confidence and motivation - and helps people cope with stress."

Loyd of Anchorage, Alaska: "Isolation is the worst thing that can happen to the mentally ill. Isolation very often leads to death, while companionship leads to revival, the pure thrill of living. Volunteer companions in the Compeer program eagerly demonstrate that they care about their disabled friends, and slowly, but surely, return that glimmer of a grin back to their once distraught participants."