DESCRIPTION:

Recording date:  February 18 - March 18, 2021

This five-session series will review The Pillars of Youth Peer Support, which consists of nine short videos. Each video will go over helpful information to support youth as you support your peers.

Each session will include watching 1 or 2 videos and a discussion with participating youth around how to how to support peers as a youth.

Session 1: 

• Watch on YouTube 
• Watch on Adobe Connect 
• Youth peer support 101: New to peer support, or want a refresher? This video provides a brief overview of youth peer support, its key ingredients, what it is and isn't, and its role in supporting youth's mental health and well-being.
• Supporting your peer's journey: Everyone's life journey is different. This video discusses how to support and guide a peer's journey and the importance of promoting a sense of belonging by connecting peers to people, services, supports, and the community.

Session 2: 

• Watch on YouTube
• Watch on Adobe Connect
• Communication considerations: This video shares important communication considerations (such as how to create a safe space and place for meaningful conversations) and focuses on the role of language, empathy, and reflective listening.
• Sharing your story: Your insight and experiences are worth sharing. This video talks about sharing your lived experiences and story in a hopeful and helpful way for you and your peer.

Session 3: 

• Watch on YouTube
• Watch on Adobe Connect
• Working across differences: We are all unique. While shared lived experiences are a vital ingredient of youth peer support, in this video, we also highlight the importance of understanding and valuing how we are different and incorporating this understanding into your peer support practice.
• Supporting your peer through a crisis: We all go through tough times. This video focuses on how to support your peer through a crisis.
  • TRIGGER WARNING: in this video, we'll provide an overview of how to support someone who is considering suicide and will talk about the importance of breaking codes of silence around suicide.

Session 4:

• Watch on YouTube
• Watch on Adobe Connect
• Taking care of yourself: Taking care of yourself is essential to providing youth peer support. In this video, we'll highlight the different self-care components and suggest ways to keep yourself balanced. We will also discuss the importance of setting boundaries.
• Making connections: As a youth peer supporter, you are not alone! In this video, we'll talk about connecting with people, community resources, and services to support your lifelong peer support journey.

Session 5: 

• Watch on YouTube
• Watch on Adobe Connect
• Ending a peer support relationship: All good things must come to an end. In this video, we'll talk about how to wrap up a peer support relationship respectfully and meaningfully. We'll also provide a quick summary of the takeaway messages from the Pillars of Youth Peer Support Learning series.

Facilitator:

• Kamill Santafe (they/them/theirs), Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health

Related resources:

• Resources and References by Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health (PDF)
• Facilitation Support Guide by Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health (PDF)
• Be There by Jack.org: Learn how to be there for those who may be struggling with their mental health
• Peer Support by Stella's Place: Learn more about their peer support programs!
• LGBT YouthLine: Offers confidential and non-judgmental LGBTTQQ2SL peer support