Peer Support Networks

Has anyone here ever been involved in a Peer Support Group?

I am trying to get one started in my community. I feel it's important to have peer-run groups. Nothing formal, just for a network of peers who have any type of mental health issues.

I used to be a member of a local support group, a few different ones over the years. I wasn't a founder of any of them though ~ simply a member. I did certainly appreciate them though! Very best wishes to you in getting one started and going in your area!

Thanks Shezbut What were some of the things that were done in your group?

i was also involved with peer support at one time, and i found it to be extremely helpful as an adjunct to other treatments.

I have been involved in peer support. What really works for me about it over other types of support is that the people there understand where I'm at, experientially. I don't have to worry as much about being misinterpreted or judged. And just hearing other people share their stories so openly (in a way that doesn't often happen in the clinical context of most therapy or skills-based groups) helps me heal, as it provides me a point of contact and recognition. I don't feel alone anymore.

Thanks Spondiferous. Does your group meet regularly and is there a topic of discussion or rules of conduct? Do you have a phone list so members can call each other for support? Do you have group activities? Also where do you meet?

I got in touch with a nice sounding gal and her husband who are meeting with me for coffee next week. They are interested in joining me in starting something. I was put in touch with them by a peer support group in my state.

I've had a bunch of different formats.
My first experience was when I became a peer support worker at the recovery house I attended after I left. I did that for about a year and a half and I loved it. I worked several shifts a week. Mostly I was there to just make sure nothing major happened and to talk to the other women. To share my experience, strength and hope. Hearing their stories was empowering and encouraging for me, and being able to share for them that they were not alone was cathartic for all of us.
I have been in group settings that were not leader-based. That was awesome too. We did exchange phone numbers, and when that particular program lost funding and had to close down we all stayed in touch. It's been about three years and we have been getting together once or twice a year as a group still, and catching up.
I also have a big peer support network, as all of my friends deal with a history of addiction, mental health issues, abuse, or a combination of the above. We help each other get through the worst of it and do positive, fun things together. That has been more of a support to me than any meeting or recovery program or therapy group I've ever been a part of.
And lastly, I am in a mentoring program for people with eating disorders who are recovering. My mentor is amazing. She's younger than me and she is constantly encouraging me and sharing her own experiences and struggles and victories. I can be completely open and honest with her.
And then let's not forget about PC, which in itself is a huge peer support network.
It sounds like you have a cool opportunity with those people. I advise checking it out. It couldn't hurt. Some great things start that way. Good luck.

I know these questions weren't intended for me, but I am going to answer, anyway.

My Aspergers women group meets once a month, at a local building that houses nothing but charities and community organizations. We follow an agenda. Relationships, and women's issues are the main topics of discussion. Usually, the last half of the meeting is dedicated to socializing. For many of the ladies, this is the only time they get to do this.

We have an email list. There is a secret facebook page for members who have an account. Most of us dislike phones so we don't bother with a phone list.

Sometimes, outside events are planned. Ladies will meet to watch a movie, have a tea, attend a concert and so on. A lot of us don't work, so the events are generally affordable.

I enjoy this group, because I can relate to the ladies and their experiences. We support each other. It isn't really a psychiatric group, but almost all of us have an anxiety disorder of some kind and/or depression.

mimi2112, I hope this gives you some ideas for your group.

i am involved in a peer support group. after i got out of residential, i started a facebook group of all the friends and people who mental health issues. its been very great to have a group of people that i know, trust, and who understand.

i also wanted to start an awareness group at my school in the fall.... thinking about that a lot.

Thanks so much everyone who has posted to this thread so far. I met w/ a couple and we are beginning an informal group. We have a lot in common and I look forward to the group expanding. I'll keep you posted as things progress. I think peer support is really really vital to recovery. So many of us get stuck in our illness and we feel broken instead of feeling empowered to self-advocate and heal.

Ps. we met at a frozen yogurt shop and it seems like a good location. not too much traffic and noise, and we don't have to worry about rent.

I go to a drop-in centre, and I sometimes attend some of the weekly support groups here for socialization and support. Honestly, I think it's saved my life having people who've been through what I have supporting me. And it helps me get out of the house, especially to a place where people understand my boundaries and if I'm having a bad day they get it.

My local hospital has some and I think at my previous address, some met at the library (you might want to work through them, reserve a meeting room to meet in at your library, that sort of thing if you do succeed in forming a group).

Or, check the churches in your area? MPUUC

i have been in on a couple of attempts to develop something like that, mimi, and i'll share what i know. first, don't be too quick to meet in people's homes... it can have disastrous consequences for a new group. some banks, and or libraries have conference rooms that they let groups use, and they are air conditioned. alas, they usually don't allow for coffee or sodas (which is almost mandatory). we had good luck with the Methodist Church, which hosts many of it's own social activities, and even had a little kitchen. all we had to do was promise to clean up after ourselves.

if you take lead in starting the group, be careful that you don't get cast as THE leader. make sure the members rotate or share in refreshments, or topics, or even hosting. some of the disabled housing has "recreational rooms" which make for good meeting places, too. the ones i know about require a resident to be present for their use, tho.

another good idea is setting some topic for each meeting. it can be as simple as: getting to know each other. or more indepth, some news item or community event. wandering off topic is quite likely, but it's good to have a fall back discussion point.

finally, i learned too late that most people want emotional support more than anything else, but often we who are needing that have little to give. it can be very helpful to find a guidebook on group communications to use as a framework for how the group addresses strong emotions and potential conflicts.

once you have a good meeting place so you can recruit, and topics of interest to focus on, a good reference for skills, you should be ready to launch.

Best Wishes~!
Gus

Wow! Perna thank you for that link!

Gus: thank you so much for your suggestions!

We have met 3 times and had one new person last week. This week a peer volunteer at the drop-in center will be coming to the meeting. He is a great contact because he'll be able to spread the word to the drop- in people. We have a set time and place. Our library has been kind enough to let us use a smaller mtg. room. It is quiet and private and free.
I feel so much more "normal" and healthy after having begun this process of starting the group. I am getting out of my isolation and feel more connected to people like myself.