The Lived Experience Resilience Collaborative
A community prevention program we are developing for rural veterans, their families and older adults, and young adults. We plan to begin sessions in 2027, starting in Shasta County. Details below describe the program as designed and may change as we launch.
Live virtual trainings
About once a month, we will host a 90-minute interactive session on Zoom. Sessions are free and open to anyone in California, with a phone dial-in option and captions. Every session follows the same structure:
- 30 minutes before. The Practice Room opens. Anyone can join early to try the camera, microphone, captions, and chat.
- Getting comfortable online. Everyone practices the tools used in the session and in a telehealth visit.
- Recognizing when someone is struggling. Common signs of mental health and substance use challenges, and how to start a conversation.
- Lived experience. A staff member or peer ambassador shares their story live and takes questions.
- What a telehealth visit is like. A sample visit on public demo pages, how to prepare, and what to ask. No one receives care in the session.
- Responding in an emergency. How to recognize an overdose, a live naloxone demonstration, and how to get a free naloxone kit.
- Wrap-up. A short survey and the same general resource list for everyone.
Community gatherings
Once a quarter, people who met online will meet in person at a school, college, library, or partner event. Gatherings will include hands-on naloxone practice with a free kit to take home, a station for practicing video tools on your own phone, and time to connect.
Peer ambassadors
Ambassadors will be paid community members with lived experience who help lead the program. Most will be young adults ages 18 to 25, and veterans and family members are welcome too.
- Earn Mental Health First Aid certification, paid for by the program.
- Co-host sessions and run the Practice Room, then lead sessions with staff present.
- Help run community gatherings.
- No degree or work history required. Applications are short, available in English and Spanish, and can be completed online, on paper, or by phone.
What the program is not
This is community education. We do not provide medical care, counseling, screening, or treatment, and we do not schedule appointments with providers. Everyone receives the same general resource list. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988. In an emergency, call 911.