- About this Guide
- The Case for Peer Support on Campus
- Environment preparation
- Recruiting peer supporters
- Training ideas
- Supervision and support
- Case Studies
- Program operation
- Evaluation
- Appendix
- Appendix A: Additional resources
- Appendix B: Sample needs assessment
- Appendix C: Sample peer supporter job postings
- Appendix D: Interview questions to ask
- Appendix E: Campus staff training outline
- Appendix F: Reflective practice framework for peer supporters
- Appendix G: Self-reflective practice: tips for peer supporters
- Appendix H: Peer support case note template
Connecting with a peer support organization
Connecting with a peer support organization
Having campus staff familiar with peer programs and clinical program management is certainly helpful in the development, implementation and supervision of peer support programs. However, it remains best practice for post-secondary institutions to partner with a community organization that provides peer support services when working to implement these programs on campus. It is also a good idea to ask these partners if they have existing peer support programs and resources that can be modified to suit the specific needs of your campus.
- These organizations frequently come with multiple years of peer support expertise and understand the nuances of this approach to mental health support.
- These organizations are dedicated to ensuring peer support programs and services are delivered in a way that is consistent with the evidence base that supports peer support programming on campus.
- This type of expertise can be a vital source of support and guidance for campus peer support programs.
Summarized benefits of partnering with a peer support organization
Organization expertise
Having access to the established expertise that community peer support organizations have accrued will help campuses ensure effective and responsive peer support programming
Shared Resourcing
Less dependence on the campus to independently support the peer programming
Access to ongoing training and support
Ability to utilize peer support training programs that already exist and have proven to be successful (Similarly, partnerships often provide access to community of practice meetings that can be jointly facilitated by peer support organizations and campus staff. These meetings are a great place to reflect on successes and get advice on challenges encountered with peer support on campus.)
Connection to community resources
Students can begin establishing relationships with external sources of support in the community prior to their transition beyond post-secondary settings
This relationship is also beneficial for the peer support organization:
- It allows them to test their model amongst the post-secondary student population
- The results of the peer program evaluation can also be used to seek more funding, publish papers or present findings at conferences
If you need more information about possible ways to connect with a peer support organization, please refer to our Campus-Community Partnerships toolkit. This guide provides an overview of how to engage in partnerships and discusses why partnerships can be beneficial for campuses and community organizations. You may also contact us to be connected to a community organization offering peer support services in your area.