Veteran to Veteran: The Power of Shared Experience at the VA

That’s where VA Peer Support Specialists come in.

Peer Support Specialists are Veterans who use their own lived experiences to support fellow Veterans facing mental health, physical health or social challenges. They do not diagnose or treat conditions. Instead, they serve as guides, advocates and partners in recovery. Because they are Veterans themselves, peer specialists connect in a way that feels immediate and authentic.

That connection is rooted in something uniquely powerful, shared experience.

Angel Rivera, a VA Peer Support Specialist with the West Palm Beach VA Healthcare System and a Veteran, says mutual understanding is at the core of the role. “Mutuality and camaraderie are vital,” Rivera said. “When Veterans meet someone who’s been there, trust forms naturally.”

Rivera, who served 10 years as an infantryman and combat medic, saw that impact firsthand. After learning about the program through an apprenticeship, he realized his lived experience, once seen as a barrier in other careers, was not only accepted, but essential.

“When it comes from someone who’s lived it, it stops being hearsay,” Rivera said. “It becomes real.”

That shared understanding often helps Veterans feel less alone and more willing to take part in their care. Rivera said his own experiences allow him to connect with Veterans facing addiction, mental health challenges, homelessness and reintegration.

For Rivera, a turning point in his own recovery came after years of substance abuse, when he looked in the mirror and did not recognize himself. That moment reshaped how he approached recovery and how he now supports others.

Peer support emphasizes progress over perfection. “You do not always see improvement day to day,” Rivera said. “But when you look back, the growth becomes clear.” Peer specialists encourage Veterans to recognize progress, stay engaged and remain hopeful throughout recovery.

For many Veterans, challenges can feel isolating. Anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, social isolation and uncertainty about medications or treatment can make it difficult to take the first step. Hearing from someone who has navigated similar struggles can ease fear and encourage engagement.

For Rivera, recovery was not immediate. It was a gradual transition and a deeper understanding of how addiction and mental health were connected. “Having someone who understands and walks beside you makes all the difference,” he said.

VA offers extensive services but knowing where to begin can feel unclear. Peer Support Specialists help Veterans identify their needs and connect with the right resources.

“We help Veterans figure out which door to knock on,” Rivera said.

Since 2008, VA Peer Support Services has expanded nationwide, though awareness remains critical. Rivera emphasizes that Veteran to Veteran outreach is one of the most effective ways to reach those who may need support most.

“We’re here, and we want to help,” he said.

Peer Support Specialists are available at VA facilities across the country and work as part of a comprehensive care team.

Rivera hopes Veterans interested in the Peer Support Program are open minded and willing to try. When hope and trust are low, it can be easy to dismiss help that could make a difference. “I don’t stand above you or behind you. I walk beside you, because I’ve been there too.”

For Veterans navigating recovery, peer support means they do not have to do it alone.