Peer Support Groups

I honestly think one of my earliest accounts of peer support groups was when I was in PARC. It wasn't designed specifically for peer support, but it ended up being peer support because I got to interact with all the other residents and realised I wasn't so alone in my journey @avant-garde

Psychosocial support was more powerful than any medical support I had... but I also have to be fair and say that if I didn't take meds, I would not have been in the right headspace to engage in peer support.

Hey @avant-garde, I've never had experience with peer support groups as I struggle with group settings myself. But I have had alot of experience with peer support workers. I've found the support from those with a lived experience to be much more beneficial and that they are understanding compared to other mental health professionals that seem to be more just following from a text book. Obviously in my journey of mental health I've had support and therapy from both and equally they play a part in the recovery process. But I've been able to connect more with peer support workers and have felt more comfortable with them than I have others.

It sounds like it's been a great experience for you so far and I hope that you find it a supportive and caring environment 🩵.

Oooh that is awesome @avant-garde I am glad you found one that seems to have some choice vibes 😁

I think what differentiates a peer support group is to do with the lived-experience of the facilitators and members, and is probably more non-hierarchical - valuing that those with lived-experience are the experts in their own lives, and that there is inherent value in being able to share our stories.

It can be soooo daunting to be open and vulnerable in a room full of people, that's for sure - but so often I think the response is that of acceptance and non-judgement, and that kind of reception in itself can be healing.

Curious if you've attended any of SANE's groups? We hear many good things from our participants!!

@Jynx

I've been interested in the sane groups but haven't had stable enough internet to actually consider joining.

I really liked the non-hierarchical nature and really felt like the forums helped me know how to talk about my experiences in a less explicit way, to talk about the lesson and the hurt without the incident so much.

They had a specific guideline about leaving out explicit details when it comes to trauma and I've had some practice here so I feel more confident doing that in person.

They also had a box of fidgets with an infinity cube in it (one of my favourite fidgets).

I also allowed them to see that feeling safe is an important guideline for complex trauma survivors because that's often one of the hardest things to overcome

And that was just in the info session!

Fair enough @avant-garde - dunno if this would make a difference but you can join without camera on, I find that can help mitigate a slow connection - but totally legit if it would still end up all choppy and irritating!!

Aww love that you were able to take the lessons and experiences from the forums into the space! I hope that it ends up being a super wholesome and healing experience 🤞

Also... is the infinity cube the one with the buttons and dials or is it the one with the cube that folds in on itself...?

@Jynx

It's the data consumption, I get 240gb a year.

Fidget cube is the first one you're describing

Infinity cube is the second

We should have a fidget thread... I have heaps, at least 4 in my handbag alone.

It was only a handful of us yesterday so not too big and they went through the structure and the guidelines but I find the forums so helpful but lacking the real life component so I like that I get to try this.

But I know me and would've loved to ask questions before I went to get some idea to ease the anxiety, so I thought this thread might be useful for that purpose...

@avant-garde oh dang, yeah that'll do it. And not like you can join from an internet cafe or anything cos of confidentiality. And also, ew, being vulnerable in an internet cafe no thanks 😅

Feel free to make one!! Hehehe

I am glad you get to get that opportunity for face-to-face connection. I love what the forums are, and how they can be supportive - but sometimes we need that tone of voice and body language and everything hey.

I hope it continues to go really well!! We can chat more about it tomorrow if you like - I shall have to say night!!

⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝♡

So today was our first official session and I did actually enjoy it, I like the workers and I was really really vulnerable given what happened earlier this week and them needing context, but I think we managed well.

It was nice getting to know some others and there is one other participant that I clicked well with today.

But is it normal to be exhausted after?

Wow! @avant-garde

That sounds so great! At least it's not a medical team telling you everything that is 'wrong'... peers are there to share their own stories. Great you were able to go.

As for feelingn EXHAUSTED... yes, I totally agree you would be feeling this!