Iris Place Peer Run Respite: A Place to Pause, Breathe, and Feel Understood

NAMI Fox Valley’s 5-bedroom peer-run respite, Iris Place, provides a welcoming, homelike space where adults who are experiencing mental health challenges can step away from stress, connect with others who understand, and work on recovery.

Located in Appleton, Iris Place is not a treatment facility or a hospital. It is a voluntary, short-term respite staffed entirely by peer support specialists who have their own lived experience with mental health challenges and recovery. This shared understanding is at the heart of Iris Place and creates an environment rooted in respect, empathy, and hope.

Guests at Iris Place can stay for up to seven nights at no cost. During their stay, guests have a private bedroom, access to shared living spaces, and the opportunity to connect with peers. There is no pressure to “fix” anything. Instead, Iris Place offers space to slow down, reflect, and feel supported on your own terms.

People come to Iris Place for many reasons. Some are navigating anxiety, depression, or increased stress. Others may be feeling isolated, burned out, or emotionally overwhelmed. For many guests, Iris Place helps prevent a crisis from escalating and reduces the need for emergency services or hospitalization. Most importantly, it reminds people that they are not alone.

Iris Place is intentionally designed to be accessible. Guests do not need a diagnosis, insurance, or a referral. Participation is completely voluntary, and individuals remain in control of their own choices while staying at the respite. Guests are also able to come and go as they please during their stay, including going to work, school, or other activities or appointments. This low-barrier approach ensures that help is available early – before challenges become overwhelming.

Mental health recovery looks different for everyone, but having a safe, understanding place to turn can be life changing. Iris Place Peer Run Respite is here to offer connection, compassion, and hope when it’s needed most.

 

Call (920)815-3217 

 

Call Us

You can call Iris Place any day of the week to learn more about us and inquire about a possible stay.

On Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays we also provide peer support over the phone through our telephone warm line. Our warm line is a form of social support for anyone experiencing emotional distress related to mental health and/or substance use concerns.

No matter the reason for your call, our number is always the same: 920-815-3217.

We look forward to talking with you!

What You Can Expect During a Stay at Iris Place

 

  • Your own private, locking bedroom and access to shared spaces in our home. Our first floor is fully wheelchair accessible.
  • Access to resources in our house including art expression, books, and wellness activities for mind, body and spirit.
  • A full kitchen stocked with basic staples from St. Joseph's Food Pantry and a place for you to store your own food items.
  • Support in developing your own vision of wellness and an opportunity to develop and take action on your plan.
  • Peer Support: Find connection one-on-one or in groups with staff and other guests.
  • A safe, healing, trauma-informed, home-like, environment with a chance to rest and relax.

Frequently Asked Questions

Guests may stay for up to seven nights.
We have five locking bedrooms including two accessible bedrooms.
We don’t use language like “intake” or “referral.” Individuals interested in a stay at Iris Place should call us for a conversation to learn more about us and whether our home is a good fit for their needs. Individuals must call to speak with us themselves to explore the potential for a stay (rather than a call from a friend, family member, or provider). After the conversation, staff will meet to consider whether Iris Place will be a good fit and will call the individual back to let them know whether a stay has been approved. If Iris Place isn’t the right fit, staff will be happy to talk with the individual regarding other resources that might be a better fit for their needs.
Iris Place does not provide any type of clinical support, such as therapy or medication management. Iris Place offers peer support provided by staff who have their own lived experience with mental health challenges and recovery and have been trained in providing support to others.
Due to concerns with allergies and possible conflicting guest needs, we ask that guests find another place for pets to stay and/or someone else to take care of them. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate emotional support animals that are not service animals trained to do work or a task an individual cannot do on their own.
Iris Place does not take reservations, not do we maintain a waitlist. If our house is full when you call to inquire about a stay, we will ask you to call back the next day to see if a room has opened up.
Absolutely nothing! A stay at Iris Place is completely free of charge.

Our Name

The Iris is a symbol of hope, wisdom and courage. Purple irises have special significance related to guiding people on their journeys. You will see a print of one of Vincent Van Gogh's famous iris paintings at our house. Considered one of the most talented and influential artists of all time, Van Gogh painted most of his art while institutionalized.  NAMI has adopted the iris to represent our resiliency, strength and inner wisdom on our recovery journeys.

(920) 815-3217
Call anytime to explore the possibility of a stay at Iris Place.

Iris Place
1213 S. Matthias St., Appleton, WI 54915

Iris Place is a program of NAMI Fox Valley funded by the State of Wisconsin Division of Care and Treatment Services.
Want to learn more about peer run respites? Click here to connect with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.