The Friends Connection, a program of the Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania, is a mobile psychiatric rehabilitation program that provides one-to-one peer support counseling and "clean and sober" recreation and leisure-time activities for individuals with co-occurring disorders (mental illness and substance abuse). In addition, the Friends Connection sponsors community-based social and recreational activities that are open to all individuals and agencies participating in the Behavioral Healthcare System in Philadelphia and Montgomery County. Understanding that people with mental illness may become involved with illicit drugs and alcohol out of a sense of loneliness, isolation, boredom and stigmatization, the Friends Connection seeks to counteract these negative factors by providing friendship, counseling, social support, and meaningful leisure activities.

Our Staff Members

Dedicated to personal recovery themselves, our staff members are trained as peer support counselors and social companions who act as “coaches” for recovery. As role models who understand that developing personal preferences and leisure interest can assist in supporting a “clean and sober” lifestyle, our staff members work closely with program participants to assess needs and to develop natural community support which lead to healthy recovery.

Friend Connection staff members act as one-on-one companions to program participants and participate in mutual social support activities such as attendance at 12-step meetings.

Staff members help participants to clarify social, vocational and educational preferences and to develop and strengthen natural community social support which assist in the recovery process. Thus, improving the quality of life and alternatives for recovery by enabling a broad range of diverse opportunities for community integration for people who desire to establish natural community support systems as an option to traditional clinical treatment programs.

Program Activities

Social, vocational, educational and leisure interests are assessed. A plan is designed which describes the interest, priorities and goal of each participant. Resources and activities are identified to assure that personal and community supports area available to match the consumer’s leisure, social, vocational or educational interests.

Efforts are made to engage and involve family members and friends to participate in supportive activities, if a participant desires.

Friends Connection staff members act as companions to participants assuring that one-to-one support is available. Peer support staff arrange for flexible hours to schedule day, evening or weekend activities.

Weekly Community Activities

Participants are encouraged to attend weekly activities that are also 9open to family, friends, and the community. These activities include bowling, billiards, dances and more. Additionally, the Friends Connection sponsors large group activities allowing participants to travel on field trips to places of special interest.

For Philadelphia County call, (215) 599-4011
For Montgomery County call, (610) 292-9922

The Friends Connection
520 N. Delaware Avenue
2nd Floor
Suite 200
Philadelphia, PA 19123
215.599.4011
fax: 215.923.2133

The Friends Connection
of Montgomery County
700 E. Main Street
Norristown, PA 19401
610.292.9922
fax: 610.292.0388

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