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​Despertar

Somos los expertos de nuestra propia experiencia y podemos elegir cómo dar sentido a nuestras propias historias y cómo compartimos esas historias con los demás. Nuestro poder está en reclamar nuestras historias, con toda nuestra complejidad y humanidad. No somos nuestros diagnósticos y nos esforzamos por despertar a la sabiduría de nuestras propias experiencias.

What is Peer Support?

Peer Support is non-clinical support offered by a peer supporter (someone with lived experience). Lived experience varies from person to person - so the peer supporter you connect with might have lived experience navigating

 

  • mental illness, extreme states, or psychiatric diagnosis,

  • neurodivergence, 

  • disability or chronic illness,

  • grief, 

  • trauma (including childhood trauma), 

  • eating disorders, 

  • suicide attempts or suicidal thinking, 

  • life-interrupting problematic substance use, or 

  • criminal justice involvement; 

  • lived experience also might look like unique aspects of your identity (age, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation) or experiences of oppression that might resonate with others. 

 

To be clear, we aren’t therapists or clinicians, we are folks who’ve “been there” and have a lot of compassion and space to offer to support those who might be struggling. 

 

Peer support is voluntary: you may engage or disengage at any time

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Peer support is self-directed: we respect your autonomy and choices at all times 

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Peer support is non-prescriptive: we won’t tell you what to do, but will support you along the way as you navigate your own unique life journey. We might share our lived experiences when appropriate, but ultimately we aren’t here to tell you what you should/must do. 

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Peer support is non-coercive and non-carceral: we will not force unwanted interventions onto you. We collaborate with you to find workable solutions or decisions that are made together. 

What might I do during a 1:1 peer support session? 

The beautiful thing about peer support is that it can look very different depending on who you are meeting with, what your wants are, but for a lot of folks having some expectations can be helpful. Here is a list of ways that a 1:1 session can look like - and a gentle reminder that you are free to chat about your needs with your supporter!

 

  1. Can be done on many platforms (phone, text, email, zoom, in-person)

  2. Going for a walk together

  3. Eating together

  4. Space to vent

  5. Receiving non-judgmental support from someone who’s “been there”

  6. Help finding resources

  7. Updating a resume

  8. Attending a meeting or appointment with you

  9. Attending a court date with you

  10. “Being with” you in a moment of difficulty

  11. Assistance exploring new wellness tools or practices

  12. Connecting you with a community of your choosing

  13. Exploring your own definition of what recovery or healing means to you

  14. Learning about harm reduction tools for substance use

  15. And more!

How Do I Find Individual (1:1) Peer Support?

All of our peer supporters are unique, multifaceted individuals with their own lived experiences and approaches to supporting others. You can explore a little bit about them by reading about Our Team and let us know in our 1:1 Peer Support Request Form if there is someone in particular on our team that you would most like to connect with. If you are not sure who you want to meet with, that’s okay! Fill out the 1:1 Peer Support Request Form anyways and someone from our team will reach out to you.

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Our Commitments

 

We understand that we are all in this world and therefore have, in varying degrees, likely internalized ableism, misogyny, racism, white supremacy, homophobia, transphobia, colonialism; we are dedicated to unpacking bigotry that may lie within us - particularly as it pertains to the relationship to our social position. We know that mistakes are inevitable, but are committed to mitigating harm, acknowledging our own privileges as they may exist, taking accountability for our actions, and striving to engage in ways that are non-violent and anti-oppressive. 


What if the person I'm connecting with isn't a good fit for me?

That’s okay! Not every supporter is going to necessarily be the right fit - it’s absolutely okay to explore a different peer supporter if you find that this is the case. Also, you may find that peer support is not right for you in general - also okay! We encourage each person to do what feels right, best, and most comfortable for themselves. If you have something you want to share about your experience please feel encouraged to give us feedback.

​Despertar

Somos los expertos de nuestra propia experiencia y podemos elegir cómo dar sentido a nuestras propias historias y cómo compartimos esas historias con los demás. Nuestro poder está en reclamar nuestras historias, con toda nuestra complejidad y humanidad. No somos nuestros diagnósticos y nos esforzamos por despertar a la sabiduría de nuestras propias experiencias.

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