Sunriver 2025
September 8 - 11
Connecting Individuals with Lived Experience
Peer Fusion Throughout the Year
Peer Fusion is a dynamic movement that unites individuals with lived experience in the behavioral health systems. Throughout the year, participants actively engage in providing valuable feedback and insights to the Oregon Health Authority, through its Office of Recovery and Resilience, playing a crucial role in shaping policies and advocating for systemic change. This ongoing collaboration ensures that the voices of those with lived experience are heard and integrated into the decision-making process, fostering a more inclusive and effective approach to mental health and substance use support.
Peer Fusion Retreat
The highlight of the Peer Fusion movement is the annual Peer Fusion Retreat. This retreat is a transformative gathering designed to offer participants a chance to reflect on their experiences, both personal and professional. The 2025 event will be held September 8th - 11th at the picturesque Sunriver Resort. The retreat provides a serene and supportive environment where attendees can focus on self-reflection, skill enhancement, and professional/personal growth. This year's retreat theme centers around this concept:
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Forensic Peer Support
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Participants at this year's Peer Fusion Retreat will benefit from a 12-hour CEU workshop focused on forensic peer support, interspersed with activities aimed at professional and personal development. The workshop will be facilitated by experienced peers and experts, covering topics such as background checks, peer support for currently incarcerated individuals, and the role of peer advocacy in the criminal legal system. The retreat will also emphasize the importance of building a strong network of peers from across the state, fostering connections that can provide ongoing support and collaboration throughout the year.
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In addition to structured activities, the Peer Fusion Retreat will offer ample opportunities for informal networking and community building. Whether it's through shared meals, group discussions, or recreational activities, attendees will have the chance to form meaningful relationships and gain a sense of belonging within the forensic peer community.
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The Peer Fusion movement, with its year-round engagement culminating in the annual retreat, empowers individuals with lived experience to be active agents of change. By providing a platform for their voices and fostering a supportive network, Peer Fusion contributes to the creation of more responsive and compassionate mental health and substance use systems in Oregon.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available for individuals who reside in Oregon and have lived and/or living experience of behavioral health challenges (including mental health, substance use, process addictions, and family support).
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​The theme for this year's Retreat is Forensic Peer Support. Forensic Peer Support is Peer Support that occurs in and around court systems, by Peers with Lived Experience of court system involvement. This theme is reflected in the questions on the scholarship application, as preference will be given to those applicants who have lived experience with court systems, including but not limited to incarceration, psychiatric incarceration, family courts, and the child welfare system. We are also looking for applications from those who are either working in and around Forensic Peer systems, or are interested in pursuing a career in Forensic Peer Support.