Peer Support

What is peer support?

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

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Drop-in Peer Support

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.

Peer Support Matching Program

Peer Support Matches are available through organizations that have seconded peer support workers. If you are an organization interested in peer support, please contact our Executive director.

Peer Support Training Program

DUE TO COVID-19 THE PEER SUPPORT TRAINING PROGRAM IS NOT BEING OFFERED. UPDATES ON WHEN IT WILL RESUME WILL BE AT A LATER DATE.

Peer Support Training is provided by Mental Health Rights Coalition several times per year. This training consists of 30 hours of classroom work and a minimum 50 hours practical work. Our training aligns with the standards of Peer Support Canada. This is a regulatory body that accredits peer support workers, much like you see in other mental health professions. Accreditation is not required to become a peer support worker at Mental Health Rights Coalition. You will receive a certificate from Mental Health Rights Coalition at the successful completion of our training. Certificates are based upon merit and will be granted at the discretion of the trainer and Executive Director based upon successful classroom and practical work. There is a cost associated with this training. We will work with you to develop a suitable payment plan or to access any employment supports you may be eligible for, as necessary. For information and to apply, contact our Office Manager.

Peer Support Training Brochure

MHRC Peer Support Training Brochure 2022.pdf

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MHRC Peer Support Brochure 2022.pdf

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What makes a good peer supporter?

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

Personal experience with a mental health and/or addiction problem

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

What do people have to say about peer support?

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"I'm impressed by the way mental health workers are more for working collaboratively, and helping build trust between the peer and the peer worker."

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"I have used MHRC as a rehab to try to get on with a more normal life instead of being in the hospital. Organizations like this really do keep people out of the hospital."

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"I am so happy that you were open over the holidays. It was really nice to have the support."

Thank you and all the staff at MHRC , I enjoyed the peer supporter training and practicum that I received at your organization. The training was very therapeutic and I believe that anyone would benefit from taking the training, whether it be for professional or personal reasons. I felt that I learned not only how to help others but essentially how to help myself. I will continue to recommend this training to fellow co-workers and clients alike as this training was extremely helpful in both my professional and personal life.

- Carolina Bartholomew

Links of interest

Guidelines for the Practice of Peer Support (pdf) Mental Health Commission of Canada

Peer Support Canada (formerly Peer Support Accreditation and Certification Canada PSACC) website

Journeys: A Peer Support Primer (pdf) Mental Health Rights Coalition

Guidelines for Recovery Oriented Practice(pdf) Mental Health Commission of Canada

Here is a great introduction to the Canadian Recovery Oriented Practice Guidelines (pdf) which can provide an overview and a different perspective

A National Framework for Recovery-Oriented Mental Health Services(pdf) Australian Health Minister`s Advisory Council (Our guidelines were actually developed from Australian guidelines)

Principles of Recovery Oriented Mental Health Practice (pdf) Australia - a nice quick set of guidelines

Recovery Oriented Language Guide (pdf) Mental Health Coordinating Council Australia

Therapeutic Relationships from Hospital to Community (pdf) Cheryl Forchuck et al