How can you support a peer in crisis while maintaining professional boundaries?

2 Offer crisis intervention

Crisis intervention is a short-term process that aims to stabilize a person in crisis and connect them with appropriate resources. It is not a substitute for ongoing therapy or treatment, but a way to reduce the risk of harm and increase the chances of recovery. To begin, you should assess the level of danger and urgency. If the person is in immediate danger, call 911 or a local crisis line. Otherwise, offer to help them find a therapist, counselor, or support group. Next, use active listening skills and open-ended questions to establish rapport and trust. Then, explore options and alternatives with the person by helping them identify their strengths, coping skills, and support network. Finally, develop a safety plan that outlines the steps they will take to stay safe and cope with their crisis. Review the safety plan with them and make sure they have a copy of it.

3 Adapt to online peer support

Online peer support is a form of mutual aid that uses digital platforms, such as websites, apps, forums, chat rooms, or social media, to connect people with similar experiences or challenges. This type of support offers a range of advantages, including convenience, anonymity, accessibility, diversity, and empowerment. However, it also poses some challenges, such as communication barriers, privacy issues, ethical dilemmas, and burnout. To make the most of online peer support, it's important to choose a suitable platform and format that meets your needs and expectations. Additionally, establish clear guidelines and boundaries with your peer before engaging in online peer support. This includes setting expectations for confidentiality, consent, respect, frequency, duration, and topics. Furthermore, use empathic and respectful language to avoid confusion or conflict. Lastly, seek feedback and support from other peer supporters or professionals to prevent or cope with compassion fatigue.

4 Practice self-care

Self-care is essential and empowering, not selfish or indulgent. As a peer supporter, you may face many pressures and demands, such as empathy, responsibility, trauma, stigma, or discrimination. To cope with these challenges, it’s important to practice self-care regularly and consistently. Monitor your stress level and mood - be aware of your own signs and symptoms of stress, such as fatigue, irritability, insomnia, headaches, or depression - and use coping strategies to reduce or manage it. Maintain a healthy lifestyle by taking care of your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Balance your roles and responsibilities by prioritizing tasks and delegating duties when necessary. Celebrate your achievements and strengths to boost your self-esteem and motivation - recognize your own skills and qualities that contribute to your peer support role.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?