Topic Tuesday // What peer support is and why it's great // Tues 11th May, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

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@Former-Member wrote:

@Former-Member Oh that word of sitting with you and not giving advise...ouch! I was in real need of advice and asked for it. Desperate for actual advice. To hear the above nearly drove me to the unthinkable! I really believe there are times when you have to give an answer. You need to listen to what is going on under the written words.

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Very true. I shan't be going back to the mental health system myself until they create a therapist role that does provide real help and real advice, because that's what I need.

No point engaging with them at all if they aren't set up to provide what I need. Just a money pit and a lot of heartache until then.

Hi @sadpisces we are having the conversation about peer support over here 🙂 At the moment we are talking about top tips for providing peer support 🙂 Would love to hear your thoughts

@Daisydreamer First and foremost is not judging anyone. We all deal with things differently and all have our own lives to 'fit into'. Second is 'listening' to what is being said and not presuming that anyone is any better or worse in their own situation that anyone else. And Thirdly is allowing the other person(s) to be able to talk - that is an area that many of us do not have any other outlet for and knowing that we can be open, honest and listened to is empowering.

Question 3 is open for everyone- looking forward to hearing your responses: On the forums, we can all be a part of providing peer support to our fellow community members. What are your top tips for providing peer support?

Good question @Daisydreamer

I think safety is the most important thing when providing peer support! That’s around our own personal safety in sharing our stories and the safety of the other community members in considering why we are sharing and if what we are sharing is going to help the person.

My personal top tips for supporting someone would be:

1. Know your own personal boundaries, how much you are willing to share, what you are comfortable and feel safe talking about

2. Meet the person where they are at

3. Hold space for their emotions without judgement

Non-judgmental approach, listening and allowing others to talk are great top tips @Zoe7

totally true @Zoe7 , @Former-Member

hello @TideisTurning

While everyone is answering the top tips question, this one is for you @Former-Member

Q4: What are some of the boundaries we need to think about when supporting others?

Some of my top tips:

• Make no assumptions about other people
• Be open to continually learn, grow, and adapt with how you provide peer support
• Be very attentive to your own self-care

@Daisydreamer I know that question was for @Former-Member but I would like to add my repy.

Some of the boundaries I have with supporting others are knowing my own limitations, my own knowledge of specific MIs and my own triggers. Sometimes it is about knowing what we cannot deal with as much as it is what we can.