Become a Peer Support Facilitator
Do you want to learn more about PCMH and how we support families?
Join one of our upcoming information sessions!
Volunteers Needed!
We are strengthening our groups across the province and need your help! We are looking for parents and caregivers with lived experience supporting a child or youth with mental health challenges who are eager to share their knowledge with other families.
If you’re interested in becoming a Peer Support Facilitator—whether your region is listed or not—we’d love to hear from you! Please email support@pcmh.ca or complete our Peer Support Facilitator Volunteer Questionnaire.
- Brantford
- Cochrane-Timiskaming
- Hamilton
- London
- Oxford County
About Caregiver Connection Groups
Our Caregiver Connection groups are based in communities throughout Ontario and offer peer-to-peer support for families supporting children with mental health challenges. PCMH is run by volunteers with lived experience. Our Peer Support Facilitators are passionate and want to help others by sharing their experiences to empower and provide hope to others.
The key role of a Peer Support Facilitator is to facilitate support to families in their local community by offering emotional support, education related to mental health challenges and support with system navigation. Having local community groups ensures that they are closely familiar with the mental health services and resources that are accessible and unique to each community or region.
Role of a Peer Support Facilitator
Support
Peer Support Facilitators organize and run Caregiver Connection groups in their community. For many groups, this is facilitated through a monthly meeting. Providing support through shared experience is at the heart of PCMH, and is a key support to the community. The mental health services are fragmented and it is frustrating for parents and caregivers to navigate, our Caregiver Connection groups help families with their journey.
The importance of peer support and the role of the Peer Support Facilitator, cannot be overemphasized. Oftentimes facilitators look to the families within the group for a team of volunteers to help meet their commitments to the group and the community. While both roles are volunteer based, facilitators are tasked with administrative work that is necessary for PCMH to stay informed about the needs in the community and to inform system change.
Education
Peer Support Facilitators are responsible for facilitating opportunities for learning and development. These opportunities may range from occasional guest speakers to monthly workshops, or the sharing of information from local service providers. Peer Support Facilitators consult with the families to identify their needs and interests and organize the group accordingly.
Leadership
Peer Support Facilitators play a pivotal role in affecting change in the mental health system, by bringing forward the family voice about the challenges they encounter on their mental health journey. Oftentimes Peer Support Facilitators sit on Family Advisory Committees (FAC), Special Education Advisory Committees (SEAC) and are advisors for research studies. Although this is not an expectation of facilitators, many realize their unique role to not only share their perspective on system improvement, but can also bring the family voice to these stakeholders.
Benefits of Becoming a Peer Support Facilitator
Support
Peer Support Facilitators are the backbone of the Caregiver Connection program, and it is important that they get all the support they need, such as space to connect with other Peer Support Facilitators to discuss and raise questions about their group and to engage in peer support with each other. Peer Support Facilitators are also connected with a designated employee at the local Child and Youth Mental Health agency to share resources and strategies for unique challenges.
Education
Peer Support Facilitators are trained in Peer Support, Group Facilitation Skills, and Systems Navigation. Facilitators participate in an additional minimum of 10 hours of training per year and are welcome to participate in all available training free of charge.
Leadership
Peer Support Facilitators help inform the resources on the Family Care Centre by identifying the gaps and needs in the community. Facilitators support systems change and advocacy work by sharing their stories on CMHO’s social media platforms and in media interviews.
Are you interested in becoming a Peer Support Facilitator? Contact us today!