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You’re considering a career in Peer Support. How can you make sure it’s the right fit for you?

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Peer support is a rewarding and meaningful career path that involves using your lived experience of mental health challenges, recovery, or trauma to help others who are facing similar situations. Peer support workers provide emotional, social, and practical assistance to their peers, while also advocating for their rights, needs, and preferences. Peer support can take place in various settings, such as mental health services, community organizations, or online platforms.

But how do you know if peer support is the right fit for you? What skills, qualities, and values do you need to succeed in this role? And what are some of the benefits and challenges of working as a peer support worker? In this article, we will explore these questions and offer some tips and resources to help you make an informed decision about pursuing a career in peer support.

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1 What is peer support?

Peer support is based on the idea that people who have similar experiences can understand, empathize, and empower each other in ways that other professionals or family members may not be able to. Peer support workers use their personal stories of recovery, resilience, and hope to inspire and motivate their peers, while also respecting their autonomy, dignity, and choices. Peer support workers do not give advice, diagnose, or treat their peers, but rather offer mutual support, guidance, and information.

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Lisa Pous

Survivor Extraordinaire; leader, mentor, interpersonal violence victim/survivor service consultant, peer support program creator, speaker, educator, and woman falling madly in love with herself.
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Peers hold space for people in ways I rarely see with conventional support. We walk alongside people on their life's journey without judging them, making them feel small or less than, trying to fix them, getting them to conform or be compliant with programs, or trying to impact the outcome of their journey. Peers can respect and honor people exactly where they are in life. While compliance to programs is not a Peer Support goal for people we work with, having peer support tends to help with those goals and frustrations of being in a program for our own basic needs; accessing or keeping housing, medical services, and can lead to self-sufficiency in lives of our own choosing.

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Suzanne Sophos

president-elect CHADD | neuroinclusivity advocate | certified peer support specialist (CMPSS) | family educator + parenting consultant | writer + strategist
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Peer support involves individuals with shared experiences providing mutual assistance and understanding. It's about fostering connections, building a sense of community, and offering empathy and encouragement. People seek peer support for understanding, validation, and guidance through challenging times. It provides a safe space for sharing struggles and successes, promoting healing and personal growth. In essence, peer support acknowledges the power of human connection in navigating life's journey.

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2 What skills do you need?

To become a peer support worker, you need to have some essential skills, such as active listening, communication, empathy, boundary setting, problem-solving, and self-care. You also need to be comfortable with sharing your own story and learning from others' stories. Additionally, you need to have some knowledge of mental health recovery principles, peer support values and ethics, and relevant resources and referrals. You can develop these skills and knowledge through formal training, mentoring, or on-the-job learning.

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3 What qualities do you need?

In order to be suitable for peer support work, you need to possess certain personal qualities in addition to skills and knowledge. These include compassion, authenticity, humility, courage, and hope. Compassion involves caring deeply about your peers and wanting to help them improve their well-being. Authenticity means being honest, genuine, and respectful in your interactions with your peers and colleagues. Humility entails acknowledging your strengths and limitations, while being open to feedback and learning. Courage involves being willing to face your own challenges and vulnerabilities, as well as supporting your peers in doing the same. Lastly, hope is believing in the possibility of recovery and change, which you must convey to your peers.

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Lisa Pous

Survivor Extraordinaire; leader, mentor, interpersonal violence victim/survivor service consultant, peer support program creator, speaker, educator, and woman falling madly in love with herself.
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These are great qualities for any care providers to bring to the table, not limited to Peer Support. What makes us different is shared similar lived experiences. Being able to be honest and open about our frustrations while seeking services and varied interest of "change," not expecting people to change or grow, but respecting them right where they are in their life journey. I believe "recovery", "healing", and "growth" are all possible, even probable with respecting people, listening to them, and refraining from judgments. However, it is not promised. Some will not heal, and some will live with permanent disabilities and that is okay too. Everyone is worthy and valuable as human beings. Being ourselves is enough.

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4 What are the benefits?

Working as a peer support worker can bring many benefits, both personally and professionally. You may find fulfillment in your work and feel proud of your contribution to your peers and the community. Additionally, you can learn new skills, gain new insights, and discover new opportunities for your own recovery and development. Furthermore, you can build trusting and supportive relationships with your peers and colleagues, as well as receive appreciation and respect for your work. Moreover, you will have a voice in shaping the policies and practices of peer support.

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5 What are the challenges?

While peer support work can be rewarding, it can also be challenging and stressful. Burnout, stigma, role conflict, and trauma are all common issues that peer support workers face. Burnout can cause physical, emotional, or mental exhaustion from the demands and pressures of work. Stigma from people who do not understand or value peer support may lead to feelings of isolation or marginalization. Role conflict can make it difficult to balance your role as a peer support worker with other roles such as a service user or friend. Traumatic stories or situations may trigger your own trauma or distress and make you feel unsafe.

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Brayden Robinson

Peer Support and Lived Experience Advocate, Non-Profit Leader, CPSS, MSW, CSW
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I've found that lack of understanding of what peer specialists do, and the value they bring, in an organization is one of the biggest challenges. When you work with people that don't understand your role, or worse oppose the role in the organization, it's much harder to feel empowered in your lived experience and the benefit you provide to your peers and your colleagues.

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6 How can you prepare?

If you're interested in becoming a peer support worker, there are some steps you can take to prepare and increase your chances of success. Start by assessing your readiness: ask yourself why you want to do peer support work, what you hope to achieve, and what you are willing to share. Additionally, consider your current mental health status, coping skills, and support network. You should also explore your options by researching different types of peer support work, such as peer specialist or mentor, and find out the requirements and benefits of each role. To build your skills, enroll in a peer support training course or program that covers the core competencies and standards of the role. Additionally, look for opportunities to practice your skills through volunteering or interning in a peer support setting. Lastly, don't forget to take care of yourself by having a self-care plan that helps manage stress and maintain well-being. It's important to make sure that peer support work is the right fit for you and that you are ready for the role. By following these tips and resources, you can make an informed decision about pursuing a career in peer support and enjoy its benefits.

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7 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?

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You’re considering a career in Peer Support. How can you make sure it’s the right fit for you?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 What is peer support?

2 What skills do you need?

3 What qualities do you need?

4 What are the benefits?

5 What are the challenges?

6 How can you prepare?

7 Here’s what else to consider

Peer Support

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You’re considering a career in Peer Support. How can you make sure it’s the right fit for you?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 What is peer support?

2 What skills do you need?

3 What qualities do you need?

4 What are the benefits?

5 What are the challenges?

6 How can you prepare?

7 Here’s what else to consider

Peer Support

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