We are using a broad definition of peer support so we can discover the full diversity of peer support initiatives within Canada.
We define peer support as any organised support provided by and for people with mental health problems. Peer support is sometimes known as self-help, mutual aid, co-counselling or mutual support.
Consumers/survivors are people with lived experience of mental health problems
We define peer support initiatives as the programs, networks, agencies or services that provide peer support. They can be:
- Funded OR unfunded.
- Use volunteers OR paid staff OR both.
- Operate out of psychiatric consumer/survivor run organisations OR other agencies.
- Delivered by a group of peers OR by an individual peer in a team of professionals.
- A primary activity of the initiative OR a secondary benefit eg in a consumer/survivor business.
The Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) is funding this project to inform provincial policy makers, funders and other stakeholders of the value of mental health peer support, and to give them guidance on how to strengthen peer support in their respective provinces. A group of international consultants with lived experience are gathering the information needed. More information.
Focus groups and interviews - Completed
Deadline for written responses - Completed
Anglophone Consultations on draft report - Mid – February 2010 completion
Francophone Consultations on draft report – Late- April 2010 completion
Final draft to the Peer Support Project Committee for approval – Mid-May 2010
Final report to the MHCC for approval and translation - Late May 2010
These consultation meetings are now complete, with over 700 people consulted through individual interview or focus groups.
Anyone involved in, or interested in peer support was invited to complete a consultation questionnaire. Over 200 written responses were received through consultation and peer support initiative database questionnaires.
A database questionnaire was developed to collect additional details about peer support initiatives. The information collected is being used to develop a peer support database for Canada.
The final project report will be posted on the Mental Health Commission’s website in late Spring, 2010.
Please contact Gail MacKean, Senior Research Officer, at gmackean@mentalhealthcommission.ca if you have any queries