Mirna Herrera

Mirna Herrera, originally from Nazareth, Israel, holds an MA in Music Therapy and a BA in Psychology and Musicology. After completing her internship at University Health (UH) in Kansas City, she became passionate about peer support and made significant contributions to the field.

As Director of a consumer-run drop-in center, she received the Missouri Mental Health Champion Award for her work. She later restructured peer support services at UH, creating a dedicated department and piloting a career ladder for peer support teams in collaboration with SAMHSA and the Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC). Mirna has expanded peer services in the community, including launching peer navigator programs in Kansas City public libraries. She has consulted with Mid-America ATTC, advocating for Naloxone and harm reduction, and trained organizations on trauma-informed care, drawing from her own experience living with PTSD. She also worked with the Missouri Credentialing Board as a trainer and assisted in developing various curricula for trainings and certification. Most recently, Mirna served as a regional behavioral health advisor for SAMHSA’s Region 7 office, focusing on peer support and recovery services both regionally and nationally.