Peer Support
Imagine walking into a place where the person helping you knows exactly how you feel because they’ve felt it too.
That’s what CMHA peer support programs are all about.
Peers, who’ve had their own mental health or addiction challenges, have learned, grown, and are trained to help others by sharing their stories.
They offer advice, tips, and tricks that they’ve picked up on their own journey to feeling better.
Plus, they share tools and resources that can make the path to recovery a bit smoother.
Having someone who truly “gets it” can make all the difference.
It is the act of people who have had similar experiences with a mental health and/or addiction issue giving each other encouragement, hope, assistance, guidance, and understanding that aids in recovery.
Spotlight: CMHA Waterloo Wellington
Why Peer Support?
Peer Support is about helping another person move on with their life – to recover.
Peer supporters don’t just offer sympathy; they bring shared experience, guiding recovery goals, dismantling barriers, and bringing optimism.
What Does Peer Support Involve?
Helping that person get in touch with what they think will improve their quality of life (setting recovery goals)
Helping them to identify and remove barriers
Seeing their situation and circumstances differently: With hope and self determination.
Requires the establishment of a relationship. A relationship is built on trust, even in the first few minutes of meeting.
A Peer is anyone you share a mutual experience with. That experience can include, but is not limited too, mental health or substance use diagnosis or symptoms, and involvement with mental health/addictions systems.
It is the act of people who have had similar experiences with a mental health and/or addiction issue giving each other encouragement, hope, assistance, guidance, and understanding that aids in recovery.
Your Role in Their Recovery Journey
Every donation you make is a testament to your belief in the transformative power of community and shared experiences.
Each dollar you give elevates the stories of triumph over mental health and addiction challenges, lighting the way for others in need.
By contributing, you are amplifying hope. You can ensure more of young community members find the support they deserve.
Together, we can make recovery not just a distant hope, but a tangible reality.