Peer support is about being in “relationships” with others in such a way that if offers help and support to individuals in dire need. Whether that be someone suffering trauma, abuse or serious mental illness, effective peer support helps. Peer support is frequent, ongoing, accessible and flexible.
Peer support can take many forms – phone calls, text messaging, group meetings, home visits, going for walks together, and even grocery shopping.
A Peer Specialist is a person with a mental health and/or co-occurring condition, who has been specially trained and certified to help others with these conditions, identify and achieve specific life and recovery goals.
A Peer Specialist is a person who is actively engaged in his/her own recovery, and who volunteers or is hired to provide peer support services to others engaged in mental health treatment.
Its a way of relating to others as “equals”, as as well as learning and growing together.
The key, of course is “mutuality” and respect.
In addition the more authentic and real that particular relationship is, the greater potential for recovery.
One of the simplistic and most effective ways of increasing our relationship building potential is through the simple act of human touch.
Touching another human being, even if only for a few seconds, increases trust and cooperation between individuals.
It can also dramatically reduce a person’s perception of threat.
Having been a former soldier, I know that touching a person has the power to make a dramatic statement.
For example one of the kindest acts you can do for an orphan child (especially in a war zone and you don’t speak their language – and if they approach you first) is to gently rest your hand on their head.
Without saying a word you can communicate a powerful message of empathy with just that one simple act of kindness (now, of course you have to be extremely careful, remembering you are target for the enemy, so you don’t want to inadvertently put that child in harm because of his or her proximity to you. And if you are attacked you have an obligation to protect that child first and foremost).
I also know that when people go to the doctor for a potentially painful procedure, a light touch on the shoulder or arm of a patient by the health care provider can help reduce a lot of stress and anxiety of that individual.
To fellow peer support specialists, I would encourage you, when and where appropriate to utilize the power of human touch to express empathy and help build trust.
See video: The Power of Human touch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bem8dIjUqns
See video: funny touching people http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBLootFmg0A