What are the keys to a supportive and respectful peer support culture?

1 Define peer support

Peer support is a form of social support that involves people who have lived experience of a certain issue, condition, or identity, offering emotional, practical, or informational assistance to others who are in a similar situation. Peer support can take place in various settings, such as online platforms, groups, organizations, or one-on-one interactions. Peer support can help people cope with stress, isolation, stigma, or discrimination, as well as enhance their self-esteem, confidence, and skills.

2 Establish boundaries

Boundaries are essential for creating a safe and respectful peer support culture. Boundaries are the limits that define what is acceptable and unacceptable in a peer support relationship, such as the scope, duration, frequency, and mode of communication, the roles and responsibilities of each party, and the expectations and goals of the support. Boundaries help to protect the privacy, autonomy, and well-being of both the peer supporters and the peer support recipients, as well as to prevent role confusion, dependency, or burnout. Boundaries should be discussed and agreed upon at the beginning of the peer support relationship, and reviewed and revised as needed.

3 Embrace diversity

Diversity is a key aspect of peer support culture, as it recognizes and values the differences and similarities among peers who share a common experience, challenge, or identity. Diversity can include factors such as age, gender, race, ethnicity, culture, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or socio-economic status. Embracing diversity means being aware of and respectful of these factors, and how they may affect the needs, preferences, and perspectives of the peers. Embracing diversity also means being open to learning from and appreciating the diverse experiences and insights of the peers, and avoiding stereotypes, assumptions, or judgments.

4 Practice active listening

Active listening is a skill that involves paying attention, showing interest, and providing feedback to the speaker, without interrupting, judging, or imposing one's own opinions or solutions. Active listening is crucial for creating a supportive and respectful peer support culture, as it demonstrates empathy, respect, and understanding for the peer's feelings, thoughts, and experiences. Active listening can help to build rapport, trust, and rapport among peers, as well as to clarify and validate the peer's needs, goals, and strengths. Active listening can also help to empower the peer to find their own answers and solutions, rather than relying on external advice or guidance.

5 Share personal stories

Personal stories are the narratives that people create and tell about their own experiences, challenges, or identities. Personal stories are powerful tools for peer support, as they can inspire, motivate, and connect peers who have similar or relatable stories. Sharing personal stories can help to create a supportive and respectful peer support culture, as it shows vulnerability, authenticity, and courage, and invites the peer to share their own stories as well. Sharing personal stories can also help to reduce stigma, isolation, or shame, and to increase hope, resilience, or recovery.

6 Seek feedback and support

Feedback and support are important elements of a supportive and respectful peer support culture, as they help to improve the quality and effectiveness of the peer support practice, as well as to maintain the well-being and growth of the peer supporters. Feedback and support can come from various sources, such as the peer support recipients, the peer support colleagues, the peer support supervisors, or the peer support mentors. Feedback and support can help to identify the strengths and areas of improvement of the peer supporters, to celebrate their achievements and successes, to address their challenges and difficulties, and to provide them with guidance, encouragement, or resources.

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?