As a peer supporter, you have the opportunity to help people from different cultures achieve their goals and improve their well-being. However, you may also face some challenges and barriers when working with diverse populations. How can you overcome them and provide effective and respectful peer support? Here are some tips and strategies to consider.
Before you can support others, you need to understand yourself. Your culture influences your values, beliefs, assumptions, and expectations. It also shapes how you communicate, relate, and cope with challenges. Reflect on how your culture affects your peer support role and how it may differ from the cultures of the people you support. Be aware of your biases and stereotypes and how they may impact your interactions. Seek feedback and learn from your mistakes.
You don't need to be an expert on every culture, but you should have some basic knowledge and curiosity about the cultures of the people you support. Learn about their history, traditions, norms, and preferences. Ask open-ended and respectful questions to understand their perspectives, experiences, and needs. Listen actively and empathically and avoid making assumptions or judgments. Show interest and appreciation for their culture and acknowledge their strengths and assets.
Striving to understand builds bridges. American traditions like the handshake greeting and engaging in eye contact during conversation, may fall outside the tradition of other cultures; leaving us to assume our non American colleagues standoffish or rude. African Americans are compelled to work longer hours as a means to repudiate stereotypical beliefs of being lazy while for the dominant culture, it’s a demonstration of commitment and means to advancement. Addressing someone as ma’am or sir demonstrates respect in some cultures and discouraged in others. Educating ourselves or even experiencing other cultures opens our eyes to why people do things the way they do. The more we know, the better we can connect and communicate.
Every person is unique and has different goals, preferences, and needs. You should tailor your peer support style to match the individual you are supporting. For example, you may need to adjust your communication style, such as your tone, pace, volume, or body language. You may also need to consider the level of formality, intimacy, or self-disclosure that is appropriate for the person and the situation. You may need to use different tools, techniques, or resources that are relevant and accessible for the person. You may also need to collaborate with other professionals or community members who can provide additional support or guidance.
As a peer supporter, you should respect the diversity and inclusion of the people you support. Diversity means recognizing and valuing the differences among people, such as their culture, ethnicity, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or socioeconomic status. Inclusion means ensuring that everyone feels welcomed, accepted, respected, and valued. You can promote diversity and inclusion by using inclusive language, avoiding stereotypes and labels, challenging discrimination and oppression, and celebrating diversity and inclusion.
Cultural humility is a lifelong process of learning and reflecting on your own and others' cultures. It involves being open-minded, respectful, and humble. It also involves acknowledging your limitations and gaps in your knowledge and skills. As a peer supporter, you should foster cultural humility by seeking ongoing education and training on cultural competence and diversity issues. You should also seek supervision and peer support to discuss your challenges and successes. You should also seek feedback from the people you support and evaluate your outcomes.
As a peer supporter, you can also advocate for change in the systems and policies that affect the people you support. You can use your voice and experience to raise awareness and educate others about the issues and needs of diverse populations. You can also join or create networks and coalitions that work for social justice and human rights. You can also support the people you support to advocate for themselves and their communities. You can also participate in research and evaluation that can inform and improve peer support practice and policy.
To support individuals from different cultures in achieving their goals, it's crucial to foster cultural sensitivity, open communication, and understanding. Tailor your approach, acknowledge diverse perspectives, and provide resources that consider cultural nuances. Encouraging a collaborative and inclusive environment helps individuals feel valued and supported in pursuing their aspirations.