Peer Support
Overview
Peer support emphasizes a mutual relationship based on the sharing of lived and living experience to provide support, empowerment, hope and mentorship. Peer support can be an option for a wide range of needs – including support for mental health and substance use challenges.
Importance
Peer support is an integral part of Foundry’s core services. Both youth and families/caregivers can access peer support. It’s important to study peer support to find out what works and what doesn’t so that services can be improved.
Key Questions
- What are the experiences of youth and families/caregivers with peer support?
- What are best practices for youth peer support?
- What are best practices for family/caregiver peer support?
- How can we make peer support more accessible?
- What is the impact of youth peer support services on youth accessing Foundry?
- What is the impact of the occupation (or position) of Peer Support Worker on Youth Peer Support Workers at Foundry?
- What does integration of peer support within a shared care setting look like, feel like?
Spotlight
Escaping Evaluation and Research Myths in Integrated Youth Services
This webinar from members of the Foundry Research, Evaluation and Peer Support teams explores engaging youth peer support workers in evaluation and research through an interactive “escape room” exercise. By combining collaborative puzzles with reciprocal dialogue, the initiative deepened understanding, fostered participation and highlighted the unique insights of youth peer workers across diverse communities.