Crisis Support Specialist

Thresholds•Chicago, IL

6h•Onsite

About The Position

The Living Room offers a community crisis center as an alternative to emergency departments for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. In this welcoming, accepting, and calm environment, Crisis Support Specialists provide advocacy, information, and peer support. As a Crisis Support Specialist, you will leverage your personal experience with mental health recovery to support and educate guests on managing crises. You will engage guests in conversation to understand their stories, interests, and strengths, respectfully encouraging them in their recovery process. This role involves modeling coping strategies, assisting guests in developing their own crisis recovery plans, and connecting them with supportive services for post-crisis care. Maintaining a welcoming atmosphere is crucial, which includes greeting guests, learning their names, and empowering them to lead their recovery journey. Additionally, Crisis Support Specialists are responsible for preparing food for guests and ensuring the space remains neat and tidy. The role also encourages continuous learning through training opportunities on current mental health trends and evidence-based practices, with supervision for CRSS certification and reimbursement for related fees available.

Requirements

Lived experience of mental health recovery
Effective communication and relationship-building
Good writing skills
Strong time management and organization
To be at least 21 years old
Ability to work assigned schedule: Sunday - Monday 7am-3:30pm, Tuesday - Thursday 3pm-11:30pm
High school diploma or GED certificate required

Nice To Haves

Higher education in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling or related field
Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS)

Responsibilities

Provide advocacy, information, and peer support to Living Room guests
Use personal experience with mental health recovery to support and educate Living Room guests on managing crisis
Engage guests in conversation to hear their stories, learn about their interests and strengths
Respectfully encourage guests to take steps in their recovery process
Model coping strategies
Help guests develop their own crisis recovery plans
Link guests with supportive services for after their crisis
Greet guests and learn their names as part of inviting them to take the lead in determining their recovery path
Prepare food for guests
Ensure that the space is neat and tidy
Keep up to date on current trends in the mental health field
Deepen knowledge of evidence-based practices through ample training opportunities to enhance Living Room services