Peer support is an important aspect of recovery for persons with mental illness. Mental Health Association of the Heartland's Compassionate Ear and Peer Advocacy programs employ persons who identify themselves as current or past consumers of mental health services to provide non-clinical support and services to individuals who are mentally ill. Both the individual who provides peer support as well as the individual who receives the support benefit from the interaction. Mental Health Association of the Heartland screens, hires, and trains peer support staff. Mental Health Association of the Heartland seeks to expand the peer support program as funding becomes available.