Season 2, Episode 13
Host(s): Dr. Larry Force, Andrew O’Grady, Elisa Gwilliam
Guest(s): Linda Ferdico: Regional Director of Peer Services at Independent Living based in Newburgh, New York
In this episode of INTERSECTIONS Policy, Program and Practice Exchange the team is joined by Linda Ferdico who serves as Regional Director of Peer Services at Independent Living in Newburgh, New York. Along with her personal journey to the recovery field, Federico shares her passion for peer support networks and important tools for recovery and harm reduction during the pandemic and beyond.
Topics Discussed
- Updates on mental health resources in the Hudson Valley
- Linda Ferdico’s journey to the mental health field
- Different definitions of ‘peer’ in the mental health and addiction fields
- Social determinants of health and wellness
- Harm reduction
- Mental health response to COVID-19
- Tools for recovery
Resources
- Independent Living
- lferdico@myindependentliving.org
- What does peer support look like?
- Do I have to stop drinking forever?
- I’m addicted to more than one substance, what do I do?
- Someone I love overdosed
Key Quote(s)
- “We’re able to create and promote programs that will really meet someone where they’re at; to take away the stigma, to take away the judgment and to really be honored to be walking with this person on their recovery journey.” – Linda Ferdico
- “I love that we can hire peers now. It’s so vital because…as providers, I like to break down the silos, but we only see what we see and we can’t really fix things unless we understand what’s not working.” – Andrew O’Grady
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