Our Certified Peer Specialists have lived through their own mental health challenges. Now they're trained to walk with you through yours — at your pace, on your terms.
No cost to you
Home, community, or video
our stats
750K+
Peer support sessions
Statewide
Peerstar serves all of Pennsylvania
$0
cost (all covered by Medicaid)
2008
When Peerstar started
Lived experience changes everything.
Lived experience changes everything.
When someone really gets it, you don't have to explain so much.
Peer support is just talking with someone who's been there — someone with their own mental health story.
You'll meet at home, in your community, or on video. You'll talk. You'll set goals that matter to you. You'll work on them at your pace.
Someone in your corner, as long as you need. No judgment, no pressure.
Trained, one-on-one support from someone who's been there
A real plan with goals to work toward
Support whenever you need it — not just in crisis
We work on what matters to you, at your pace
Meet in your home, your community, or on video
Fully covered by Medicaid / Medical Assistance
what peer support isn’t
Therapy — your peer specialist isn't a therapist or doctor
Just venting without a plan to move forward
Only for people in crisis
A one-size-fits-all program
An office visit or waiting room
Something you have to pay for
What we'll work on together
Your goals. Your pace. Your life.
Here's what real peers say they want to work on. There's no goal too small or too big — we build a plan around what matters to YOU.
01. Crisis Support
“I want a plan for when things get really hard — so I know what to do when nothing feels okay."
02. Community Connection
"I need to figure out housing, food, or getting back to work. I just need somewhere to start."
03. Speaking Up For Yourself
"I want my voice to count in my own care — with my doctor, my case manager, all of it."
04. Self-Improvement
“I want to believe in myself again. I want to feel like me."
05. Wellness & Recovery
"I want better sleep, better health, and days that actually work for me."
06. Social Connection
"I want to feel less alone. I want real friendships."
In their
OWN WORDS
From people who've been where you are.
“She got me off the couch.”
I was beyond lost and broken. My husband walked out after 30 years and I laid on my couch for three months. Then Carol came along. She started putting me back together one piece at a time. She'd just sit at my kitchen table and encourage me. Before I knew it, I was doing the things I'd been struggling to do.
Heidi W.
“She gave me my freedom back.”
It means my freedom. I can get out and go places and do things my anxiety used to make so hard. My peer got me through some of the worst times — like when my gram was diagnosed with cancer. I got comfortable going to church again. It gives me courage.
Michelle S.
"She helped me put myself back together one piece at a time."
I wouldn't be here without her. Peerstar has been a gift to me. I was hesitant about participating — so thankful I chose to. My peer is a sounding board who sees things from a unique perspective. She's walked with me as I worked toward goals I've had for a very long time. I wouldn't be where I am today without her.
Kim F.
"Peer support means my freedom."
I can get out and go places and do things that my anxiety makes hard to do on my own. It has changed my life. It has shown me support and pushed me forward to better things. It gives me courage.
Michelle S.
"This service has been my lifeline."
They came into my life at a time where I was confused and a first time mother. I was struggling, my mental health was not what it is now, but peer support was there. They showed up. This service has been my lifeline when I felt I didn't have anyone to talk to.
Christina C.
"I wouldn't be where I'm at today without her."
I was hesitant about participating. So thankful I chose to use this wonderful program. My support person has been there for me, a sounding board that can see things from a unique perspective. I wouldn't be where I'm at today without her.
Kim F.
What happens next
How it works, in 3 steps.
You've already done the hardest part — looking for support. Here's what happens next.
01.
Reach out
Fill out the form above or call us. It takes about 2 minutes. No pressure to know exactly what you want yet.
02.
We'll call you
Someone from our team will call in 24-48 hours to learn about you and what kind of support would be a good fit.
03.
Meet your Certified Peer Specialist
You'll be paired with a Certified Peer Specialist and start building a plan together.
Yes. Peerstar services are fully covered by Medicaid / Medical Assistance in Pennsylvania. If you have Medical Assistance, there's no cost to you. We'll walk through coverage with you on your first call.
Wait — isn't this just therapy?
Nope. Therapy is when a therapist or doctor treats you. Your peer specialist isn't a therapist or doctor — they're someone who's lived through their own mental health challenges and is trained to walk with you through yours. A lot of our peers see a therapist too. Peer support fills the space between visits, in real life.
Is it just like having a friend?
No. Peer support is structured and goal-focused. You'll work on what matters to you — not just hang out. Real progress, tracked together. A peer specialist is someone trained to walk with you, not just a friend.
Will my peer specialist drive me around?
No, we're not a transportation service. Your peer specialist can support you in building those skills, but they won't be your driver.
Who actually qualifies?
Adults 18 and up in Pennsylvania who are dealing with mental health challenges that get in the way of daily life. You don't need a specific label or condition. If you're not sure whether you'd be a fit, reach out and we'll figure it out together.
Where do we meet?
Wherever feels right for you. Most peers meet at home, in their community (a park, a coffee shop, the library), or on video. No office visit needed. We come to you.
What if I don't know what my goals are yet?
That's normal — most people don't on day one. Part of working with your peer specialist is figuring out what matters to you. Even "I want to feel less stuck" is a real place to start.
How long does someone work with a peer?
It depends on your goals. Some peers work with us for a few months. Others stay for years. There's no set timeline — you keep going as long as it's working for you.
What if I've never done anything like this before?
Most of our peers hadn't either. There's nothing you need to prepare. Just call or fill out the form. We'll take it from there.
Stories from others in the community, plus insights for the journey you’re on.
Pennsylvania's peer support specialists since 2008. Supporting people in finding their way back to themselves, to others, and to a life they can be proud of.
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