How can peer support help me?
Peer support programs come in many forms, and may be broad or specific in terms of participants. Most programs use peer support volunteers: people who have come to terms with their illness and who have been trained to use their personal experiences to help others. The different forms of peer support are
- telephone, email or face-to-face conversations
- groups that meet regularly
- internet bulletin boards or chat rooms.
For more information about each of these forms of support, read our 'Program Activities' page.
Most people are attracted to peer support programs because they receive support and encouragement that enables them to make sense of their experiences, to feel less isolated, alone and fearful, and to come to terms with the changes in their lives.
Experienced peer support volunteers also provide role models that help people to recover and become empowered to better manage their health, and to have more confidence in their decisions.
In particular, peer support programs give people opportunities
- to express their feelings with people who understand
- to have a listening ear
- to break down feelings of isolation and loneliness
- to share knowledge, coping strategies, and information about appropriate support and health services
- to obtain up-to-date information about treatments and research
- to rebuild their self esteem and sense of identity, and enable a greater confidence in the future
- to learn to manage their health better, to communicate more confidently with their doctors, and to develop coping strategies for dealing with the side effects of treatment and medication.
- to learn to manage their emotions and to come to terms with the loss, grief and changes resulting from their illness.
Peer programs do not
- provide professional counselling
- give medical advice
- interfere with treatment.
Here are some comments from participants of peer support programs:
What I got mostly out of it was that I could hear other people's stories, how they coped and what they have gone through. Through the group I've realised that it doesn't matter how long you are blind for, you will always have the same problem. It doesn't change if it's been a month or a year. I also noticed that from the first day, everyone's changed. Everyone seems happier. When I first started there was a lot of sadness still. That's changed I've noticed that. From the way people are talking and from what's being said as well, everyone's changing. It's sad that it's ending.
~ John, participant in an 8 week Vision Australia,
Quality Living Group program
I have been with a polio support group for approximately seven to eight years. Our group has a total of 55 members and meetings are held once a month. I attend all meetings because I gain so much from the group. We can discuss matters that non polio survivors just do not understand. One has a 'fellow feeling' speaking to another 'polio'. We have a good laugh as well as discussing matters that may concern us. A polio (survivor) who does not have a support group can spend years worrying about what is happening to him/her. It is at these meetings where we find out that others have the same concerns.
~ Owen, member of peer-led ongoing support group,
Polio Network Victoria
Five years on from my diversion (stroke), there's little doubt that one of the most defining moments of my recovery journey was towards the end of the eight week LifeMoves group that I participated in. A young guy ….(in) the second week that he was there asked if he could address us. “I have lost count over the last two years of the people who have said that they can understand how I feel. Last week I sat in this room and had a conversation with people that actually could”. Reflecting on that brought home to me how powerful it was for a group to share their experience and when I was later invited to train as a peer support volunteer, I leapt at the opportunity.
~ Barry, stroke survivor and participant of
LifeMoves program
How to find a program or group that suits you
If you are interested in joining a peer support program
- check out the list of Chronic Illness Alliance members for groups associated with your condition
- check out the telephone book for organisations associated with your illness
- do a Google search using the words 'peer support' and the key words that describe your illness
- ask your doctor, specialist or other health professional if they know of any groups or peer support programs suitable for you.
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