Clients must be referred by a qualified mental health professional who is engaged in an ongoing clinical relationship with the client. A mental health professional must be trained or licensed in social work, psychology, case management or be a medical doctor. 

The mental health professional must know the client, see him/her for treatment on a regular basis and be willing to be consulted for intervention and consultation as situations or crisis occur. Clients must have a primary diagnosis of mental illness and be appropriate for referral to the Compeer program. 

• Potential to benefit from the kind of social interaction a volunteer friend is able to provide
• Willing and desiring to be matched with a volunteer friend
• Willing to participate in a volunteer program
• Dependable in keeping appointments and returning phone calls
• Not currently homeless, at risk of becoming homeless, in prison or hospitalized
• Has at least a rudimentary insight into their illness and are aware of the importance of maintaining a professional therapeutic alliance with the referring mental health professional throughout the duration of the Compeer match