Peer Support Group Facilitator

The Kaleidoscope Mental Health Support Society is looking to recruit volunteer peer support facilitators for our support groups. We have groups for both postsecondary students, as well as for the general public. 

Kaleidoscope’s primary goal is to provide a safe(r), confidential, low-stigma environment for all individuals who identify with having lived experience of mental health concerns. 

Many attendees of Kaleidoscope have reported feeling isolated in their experiences with mental health concerns; however, meeting others with similar experiences can mitigate the stigma and feelings of discrimination, and replace feelings of isolation with a sense of belonging. We offer free peer-facilitated mental health support group programs open to all individuals experiencing difficulties with their mental health.  We provide a space for participants to share their stories with peers who have had similar experiences with mental health challenges and/or mental illness and can share their thoughts, feelings, challenges, and triumphs in confidence, all while supporting and empowering each other. 

Our volunteer peer facilitators are essential in the delivery of our program. All of our volunteer facilitators identify with having personal lived experience of mental health concerns. They are not medical professionals, and they do not offer medical advice; however, our facilitators go through training in suicide prevention, mental health literacy, active listening, and facilitation skills. After completion of the training, they undergo a period of shadowing before they facilitate support groups as well as provide mental health resources and crisis intervention to the attendees of the support group.

Register for Sept 21 peer support group facilitator training at https://forms.gle/5RRohoefJhV1PoPS7