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Sometimes in life we learn best by seeing someone who has walked ahead of us on the same path that we are embarking upon. That is the philosophy of the peer support movement. Mental health consumers are able to support and learn from each other. Someone who is experiencing mental illness first-hand, has learned valuable coping skills. Skills that in turn they can share with a peer. Having a mental illness gives them empathy, in a capacity unique from that of other professionals. Together the peers are able to provide each other with hope & inspiration on the journey together towards healing & recovery.
The Communitas Supportive Care Society Peer Support Program provides structured one on one support to mental health consumers within the communities of Mission, Abbotsford, Chilliwack & Hope.
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Communitas Supportive Care Society offers a Peer Support training program based on the Skilled Helper texbook by Gerard Egan.
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Each consumer accepted into the course is at a place of acceptance and understanding about their own illness. They have learned much on their own journey, and are at a place where they are able and willing to share their insights with someone else.
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Some of the topics covered in the training include basic counselling techniques, listening and attending skills, showing empathy, probing, guidelines for self-disclosure and goal setting for clients.
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After the instruction section of the training each Peer Support trainee participates in a 3 - month practicum, when they are assigned a client. A case manager from their local mental health centre oversees them, in order to provide guidance and support.
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Following training, a few of the trainees are hired by Communitas Supportive Care Society as paid Peer Support Workers.
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The PSWs work in conjunction with Communitas and the mental health centre in their community.
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At the onset of service, the PSW, client and case manager meet to write an Individual Service Plan. The ISP is primarily a goal - setting and plan of action tool. As mental illness (especially schizophrenia) tends to push consumers into isolation, the primary role of the PSW is to help draw the consumer out of isolation and to encourage community involvement.
- PSWs meet regularly with their clients out in the community. Whether it is going for coffee at a local coffee shop or accompanying clients to drop-in centers, clubhouses or other recreation centers, the increased use of resources helps to build new social networks for the consumers, while fostering social skills. This is important for normalization and integration of the consumer into the community.
