Peer Support Canada joins CMHA

Jan 16, 2018

We are pleased to announce that Peer Support Canada has joined forces with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)to advance peer support across the country.

Peer support is emotional and practical support between two people who share a common experience, such as a mental health challenge or illness. A Peer Supporter has lived through that similar experience, and is trained to support others. Peer support can be offered anywhere, whether in the community, in health care or other settings, or online. The value of peer support is clear: it has been shown to be an extremely effective way to provide support. So much so, that peer support is in great demand. It needs to grow in order to meet the need.

Here’s where Peer Support Canada, and the CMHA, come in.

Peer Support Canada has been certifying Peer Supporters and Family Peer Supporters since 2015. As part of CMHA, it will expand its mandate, helping connect people with peer support in their own communities. It will also create a digital “hub” for any and all information related to peer support in Canada.

Peer Support Canada and CMHA are both organizations that are committed to hope, recovery and the power of peer support. Together they will do more to increase access to this important form of support for people with mental health challenges and illnesses.

Celebrating 100 years of service this year, CMHA is the most established, most extensive community mental health organization in Canada. Through a presence in more than 330 communities, CMHA provides advocacy and resources that help prevent mental health problems and illnesses, support recovery and resilience, and enable all Canadians to flourish and thrive.

For more information about Peer Support Canada, please contact Shaleen Jones at [email protected].