Peer Counseling Collective

10/10/2026

Saturday 10 October PCC will begin training. I am thinking about the first Peer Counselor, Michael Diehl. He was an artist and music lover but his true passion was connecting with and helping those who lived on the streets, according to many of his friends. He worked as a peer counselor for the Berkeley Free Clinic. He conducted the Radical Psychiatry drop in group in the Pillow Room at the Clinic. A tweet from the Berkeley Free Clinic’s called Diehl a community elder who “who hosted our Radical Mental Health group at the BFC for over 30 years.” Welcoming me with open arms any Monday night I wanted to drop in.

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09/21/2026

First Peer Counselor, he will always be my first Peer Counselor. From zine Sling Shot. https://slingshotcollective.org/2-michael-diehl-1955-2019/ Michael was an activist and founder or core-member of several community projects that directly address the damage created by capitalism. He started the Peer Counseling Collective which provides alternative mental health services through the Berkeley Free Clinic. He was an early proponent of Radical Mental Health. He was a compassionate listener not only during office hours but on all fronts. A lot of his street-level activism was for the poor, homeless and those with mental issues and in the throes of a crisis. He was good at it because those on the streets related to him as one of their own.

Posted on October 13, 2019October 13, 2019 by Slingshot robot #12 – Michael Diehl 1955-2019 Michael Diehl — a proud Berkeley wingnut in the finest way — was hit by a car and killed September 29. His death leaves a huge gap in the world and hundreds of friends in tears. Michael lived life total...

09/21/2026

We will again provide PCC training. In prep for a discussion of PCC BFC history I am reminded of my history with Michael Diehl.

07/08/2026

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1t7Xtro1aBsVeLdnCTndLwPbhZ3bgiPjj/view

07/08/2026

Volunteering with Us Due on or before August 16th
Interested in volunteering with us? Applications are currently being accepted for the 2026 cohort. To learn more about the opportunity and submit an application, visit 2026 PCC Volunteer Application. 2026 PCC Volunteer Application

04/20/2026

I am attending many of the current trainings offered by our Information and Resource Collective. A current trainee reminded me of this awesome resource for informaiton and support. The National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Select your state to find a local NAMI affiliate. The page will redirect to the affiliate's page when a state is selected.

04/20/2026

04/20/2026

PEER COUNSELING COLLECTIVE, provides in person 50 MINUTE drop in counseling sessions Thursdays 6:30PM to 9:PM AND 2nd and 4th Sundays 4:30PM - 7:00 PM in our new The Berkeley Free Clinic 830 University Ave, Berkeley, CA. 30 Minute Drop in Phone Counseling every Thursday 630PM - 9 PM. Call 510-548- 2570 during those hours for Phone Counseling

12/18/2025

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc7eBGf4qmRHHS1uzyQ3xUXNDOxBOBrfzObC1rWtadFtcxwnA/viewform

830 University Avenue Berkeley, CA 94704-1670 (510) 548-2570 [email protected] Overview The Berkeley Free Clinic (BFC) is a volunteer owned/run medical collective. We formed in 1969 from a group of street medics that cared for protesters injured by UC Berkeley police and national gua...

10/10/2025

Berkeley Free Clinic 830 University Ave, Berkeley, CA In Person Counseling 50 minutes. Every Tues 630-9, 2nd and 4th Sunday 6:30-9. Phone Counseling 2nd and 4th Thursday. 510-548-2570

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