COMPEER IS A COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAM SERVING INDIVIDUALS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS OR EMOTIONAL CHALLENGES INCLUDING YOUTH, VETERANS AND OLDER ADULTS, PLUS THEIR FAMILIES, ANNUALLY. SCREENED, TRAINED, MONITORED, AND CARING VOLUNTEERS ARE MATCHED BY COMPEER PROFESSIONAL STAFF WITH REFERRED CLIENTS IN ONE-TO-ONE SUPPORTIVE FRIENDSHIP/MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS BASED ON GENDER, AGE, INTERESTS.