Veteran Peer Specialist, Virginia Veteran and Family Support

At Richmond Behavioral Health Authority (RBHA), a Veteran Peer Specialist is a person with a behavioral health or co-occurring condition, actively engaged in their own recovery, who has been trained and certified to help others with these conditions, identify and achieve specific life and recovery goals.

Peer Specialists serve as role models by sharing their personal recovery stories, showing that recovery from behavioral health disorders is possible. They teach goal setting, problem solving, symptom management skills and a variety of recovery tools. They empower by helping others identify their strengths, supports, resources and skills. They advocate by working to eliminate the stigma of behavioral health disorders and  act as community liaisons by identifying social supports in the community and encouraging the expansion of local community resources.

The program has a special emphasis on assisting service members, veterans, and families on their road to recovery from the effects of stress-related injuries (such as combat stress, post traumatic stress or military sexual trauma) or traumatic brain injuries. 

Regional Contact Information:

Statewide Toll Free Number: (877) 285-1299

Regional Director – Ben Shaw: (804) 690-3217

Senior Veteran Peer Specialist – Anthony Swann: (540) 840-3003