Peer Support

What Is Peer Support? Brochure

Peer Support is a structured relationship where a trained worker or volunteer, who has gone through a process of recovery, assists other people with mental health issues to identify and achieve life goals as part of their own recovery process.

Peer Supporters provide mentorship, emotional support, problem solving, goal setting, crisis risk assessment, and referrals to other community supports. Peer Supporters promote empowerment and self determination through non-judgmental listening and person-centred goal setting.

Peer Support Opportunities at MHRC

Peer Support Matching Program

The Mental Health Rights Coalition has a Peer Support Program where people seeking peer support can be matched one-on-one with a trained volunteer. The individual seeking support will meet regularly with the same Peer Support Volunteer on an ongoing basis. These matched relationships usually meet or speak on the phone once a week. Matches first meet at MHRC, and then move into community settings. In addition to emotional support and goal setting, matched relationships may also enjoy social activities together.

If you are interested in the Peer Support Program, you can contact the Peer Support Coordinator to discuss the matching process in more detail. This is a self-referral program that does not require a doctor, nurse, social worker or specialist to call on your behalf. The Peer Support Matching Program is free of charge. For a peer support match contact Peer Support Coordinator

Drop-in Peer Support

Sometimes people don’t need ongoing Peer Support but would like to talk with a peer once in a while. You can access a trained Peer Support Worker by calling or visiting our drop-in centre. Our Peer Support Workers and Volunteers are available to talk Monday-Friday, 11am-4pm. Just ask for some Peer Support when you call or walk in and you can meet one-on-one with a Peer Supporter in a quiet room. People who visit the drop-in centre for Peer Support often want to speak to someone because they are in distress, need some problem solving, want support around symptom management, want some social interaction, or are looking for a referral to another community agency.

What Makes A Good Peer Supporter?

While the Peer Support Training teaches people specific skills that they can use when doing Peer Support, there are some natural qualities that people have that make them good Peer Supporters:

* A personal experience with a mental health and/or addiction problem
* A personal experience with a recovery process from a mental health and/or addiction problem
* Having a belief that people with serious mental health and/or addiction problems can and do recover
* A desire to help others
* Being a good listener
* Being reliable and committed

If you feel that these qualities describe you, then you might make a good Peer Supporter. Please contact that Peer Support Coordinator for more information.

Peer Support Volunteer Expectations

People who wish to volunteer with the Mental Health Rights Coalition as a Peer Supporter are asked to commit to one full year of service. There are bi-monthly Peer Support Volunteer meetings that volunteers are expected to attend on a regular basis. These meetings are an opportunity for volunteers to discuss any issues or concerns; get updates regarding Peer Support and the Mental Health Rights Coalition; develop their Peer Support skills; learn about other community supports; and connect with fellow Peer Supporters.

Advocacy

Drop In and Resource Centre

MHRC is mainly a drop in and resource centre. We are open to our members from Monday to Friday, 11a.m.-4p.m.

Peer Supportand Systemic Advocacy

MHRC offers support through telephone or in person. MHRC practices systemic advocacy through various forms of community involvement.

Calendar

View the Up and Coming page to see a calendar of future activities within MHRC.

Contact

Email Peer Support Coordinator

Join

Membership Form

Becoming a Peer Support Volunteer

The Mental Health Rights Coalition is always looking for committed volunteers to become Peer Supporters. However, space is limited in each training session. Before starting the training sessions, anyone who is interested in becoming a Peer Supporter submit a current resume along with a cover letter explaining the reasons for wanting to take the course. About a month before training begins sucessful candidates will be contacted for an interview. Those selected for the program after the interview process will be asked to attend the training. Training is usually offered 3 hours per week for ten weeks of classroom work and then another 12 hours of practical work in the drop in.

During training, Peer Supporters will learn about supportive listening, communication skills, problem solving, goal setting, some crisis intervention skills, special topics in mental health and addictions, and self-care. Training is interactive and participants are required to do individual, small and large group activities, as well as participate in role play scenarios. Participants in training are also required to obtain a criminal reference check, do a small research project, an oral presentation, and complete a take-home exam.

The Peer Support Coordinator will evaluate skills based on performance in training, take-home review, practicum experience, and a final interview. Participation in training does not guarantee a Peer Support Certificate.