What are some ways to provide emotional support in peer groups?

Begin by making space rather than filling it - leave plenty of open, compassionate silence for others' stories and feelings --- Listening!

Nodding, making eye contact, or just facing the person who's talking makes a huge difference. It shows you're with them and you're not just waiting to jump in with your own stuff. It's also good to repeat back what someone's said in your own words. It shows you're trying to get it, but don't just parrot their words. That can feel patronizing. Hold back on fixing things: We often jump to give advice or solve problems. Sometimes, people just want to be heard. They're not looking for a solution, just a listening ear. Listen to understand, not to respond - this is the big one. We're often listening just to respond. Flip that. Listen to really understand what the other person is saying. Responding will come naturally after that.

Absolut! Aktives Zuhören ist ein kraftvolles Werkzeug, um emotionale Unterstützung in Peergroups zu bieten. Es geht darum, präsent zu sein, zu verstehen und Raum für die Gefühle und Perspektiven anderer zu schaffen. Es zeigt nicht nur Empathie, sondern auch Respekt und Anerkennung für die Erfahrungen anderer.

Bringing yourself to the group or meeting ready to really listen and just be present for the others. Making sure that we come to a group with the right headspace to be able to receive what others share is important as well as sharing ourselves.

I have found much more support in those who have allowed me the space to unpack all that I am needing to let out, rather than someone who has a suggested action for all the problems I am divulging. There is value in holding space for someone and providing a safe space to sit next to them and just be a sounding board. The answers are given to us when we are quiet and open to receiving the message.

There is balance to all things, and this includes sharing stories. We can share our experiences to help others understand that we empathize with their situation and can understand (or are trying to understand and help work through it alongside them). However, we also cannot take this moment of another entrusting their story to us, and make it about ourselves. Show and share to empathize and understand, but balance it to honour and support the other person.

A lot of people want to share their story with someone they’re supporting because they feel that’s a good way to connect. But it’s not. By sharing your story it can make the person feel as if you’re minimizing their problem. By telling your story the person may feel like their problem doesn’t matter and that’s not want we want to do as peers. We want to listen. We can offer our stories but we have to be careful to not “one up” the person we’re trying to support.

Sharing your own stories in a group can be powerful. But don't overshadow. When you share, it's not to outdo someone else's experience, but to show you get it. Tell your story in a way that connects, not competes. It's like saying, "I've been there too, and here's what happened." This helps others feel they're not alone. Share when it adds value, not just to fill silence. And be mindful of how much space your story takes up – it’s a shared stage, not a solo. Your story should invite others to share, not shut them down - think of it as building a bridge, not a spotlight.

Das Teilen eigener Geschichten in Gleichaltrigengruppen kann eine starke emotionale Unterstützung bieten. Es schafft Vertrauen und Verbindung, normalisiert Erfahrungen und bietet Raum für gegenseitige Unterstützung. Wichtig ist jedoch, sensibel zu sein und die Grenzen und Vorlieben der anderen zu respektieren, um nicht die Konversation zu dominieren oder zu vergleichen. Einverständnis und Einfühlungsvermögen sind dabei entscheidend.

Emotional support is never a clinical process. It is asking permission to ask them questions related to how they feel, and never saying you know how they feel or saying what you have felt unless they ask you, after sharing their pain, "Do you understand where I'm coming from?" or something like that. Until they ask such a question, respond to each thing they share with such phrases as "That must have been awful for you." Let them own their pain and troubles as unique. Even though we all have hardships, no two are the same.

Ressourcen anzubieten, die den Bedürfnissen und Zielen der Peers entsprechen, ist eine wertvolle Möglichkeit, emotionale Unterstützung zu leisten. Informationen, Empfehlungen und Strategien können enorm hilfreich sein, aber es ist wichtig, sie nicht aufzuzwingen oder Druck auszuüben. Stattdessen sollte das Angebot an Ressourcen mit Sensibilität und Flexibilität erfolgen, abhängig von der Bereitschaft der Kollegen, darauf zurückzugreifen.

I agree. Also understand that there is a huge gap, a big step between talking to a peer and going to see a therapist or file a protection order. As a peer you have to be patient and understand that people have to make their own decisions. You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make them drink meaning you could have all the resources in the world available but if a person isn’t ready to accept the help, there’s nothing you can do. They have to want it.

Encourage, but don't push. Some might be shy to open up, and that's okay. We're all on different journeys. A simple smile or a "Take your time, we're here" can mean a lot. Different backgrounds mean different perspectives. What's uplifting for one might not work for another. Focus on finding that common ground where everyone feels they belong. Lastly, remember it's a two-way street. Support means being open to receiving. This balance is what keeps a peer group strong and connected.