Resources for Individuals
Helping people grow confidence and self worth to cope better with adversity, make positive changes, and stronger social connections.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is peer support?
See our page About Peer Support, or Contact us.
How can I get peer support for myself or someone I care about?
You can:
Reach out to your networks for people your friends might know, such as on social media.
Join an online or face-to-face group that is by and for people with similar experiences (see also - How do I find a peer support group?)
Contact an organisation that might have volunteers or paid workers with similar experiences to yourself, and ask them whether there is someone you could talk to (e.g. if you have autism and would like to talk with someone else who has autism, an autism association may help you).
Place an ad with us to hire a peer support worker. A peer support worker will generally charge a fee for their time, but advertising with us is free.
How do I find a peer support group, start a group or become a group volunteer?
To find a peer support group, start a group or volunteer, you can contact ConnectGroups or try their groups’ directory to locate support near you.
You can also Contact us.
How can I start offering peer support to others?
Visit our news and upcoming events, and sign up to our newsletter for information on upcoming training/workshops/opportunities.
You may also like to come along to our next WA Peer Supporters’ Network Meeting which are open to anyone with an interest in peer support.
How do I become a peer worker?
Training is usually the first step to finding volunteer or paid work as a peer worker.
This peer work pathways guide explains training options for becoming a peer worker.
Resources for Government
Recommendations to policy makers, commissioners and services to fully establish peer work as a core workforce commitment.
WAPSN Resources
The Peer Workforce Report provides an overall picture of peer workforce demand, benefit, supply, uptake and workforce sustainability factors within Western Australia’s mental health and alcohol and other drug sectors.
The Report calls for strategic and coordinated commitment to fully establish peer work as a core workforce and includes recommendations to policy makers, commissioners and services.
Other Resources
Short Awareness Videos
What is Peer Support?
Medical and public health experts share why peer support is important to improving health outcomes.Peer Perspectives: Promoting Recovery.
An overview of how peer support assists mental health recovery.Certified Peer Support Specialists South Carolina
Peer supporters explain how they assist people, including peers working in prisons, with people experiencing homelessness and veterans.
Literature
The Role and Value of Peer Work
A summary report of the joint Consultation Meeting of the Western Australian Peer Support Network (WAPSN), Consumers of Mental Health WA (CoMHWA) and the Western Australian Peer Support Community of Practice (COP) held on the 3rd of June 2021, in response to discussions at the Parliament of Australia House of Representatives Select Committee of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention into the nature and safety of Peer Work.Mental Health America. 2018. Evidence for Peer Support.
A brief overview of some of the outcomes and types of peer programs.Australian Government (former Health Workforce Australia agency). Peer Workforce Study
A national snapshot of the mental health peer workforce, benefits and workforce development recommendations.
Other Resources
Infographic on the Importance of Peer Work
An infographic on the importance of Peer Work, developed with quotes and information from the joint Consultation Meeting held on the 3rd of June 2021.Mental Health Commission of NSW Peer Workforce Hub
Business case, Videos, case studies and resourcesMind Australia Centre of Excellence in Peer Support
Clearinghouse/online resource centre
Resources for Organisations
Connect with a range of peer work training providers in Perth through our Peer Work Champions Community of Practice.
Training Options for Peer Workers
There are a range of peer work training providers in Perth. You can contact us for options or link with trainers at our Peer Work Champions’ Community of Practice meetings.
The peer work pathways guide explains current formal training pathways for peer workers.
Peer Program/Peer Workforce Development Tools and Frameworks
Mental Health America. 2018. Evidence for Peer Support
A brief overview of some of the outcomes and types of peer programs.WAPSN. 2018. The Peer Workforce Report.
A review of demand, benefit, supply and uptake of the peer workforce in mental health and alcohol and other drug services in WA.WAAMH 2014 Peer Workforce Framework for the Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drug Sector
Business case and development tools.
Stages of Peer Workforce Development.
Peer Connect
Resources and tools on peer group development, with a focus on disability peer groups.
Peer Work Supervision
The WA Peer Supporters’ Network meetings provide free group supervision for peer workers every two months.
The Peer Work Champions' Community of Practice can help you develop skills as a peer work supervisor.
You can also Contact Us for options if you are seeking an external peer work supervisor for your workforce.
Useful Supervision Resources
Group Reflection/Co-Reflection Template
A reflective debriefing tool that can be done in pairs or groups.VMIAC and Centre for Psychiatric Nursing. Consumer Perspective Supervision: A Framework for Supporting the Consumer Workforce.
Explains why supervision matters, values and principles of good supervision.
Ethical and Practice Guidelines
Work requirements such as standards or codes of conduct are not yet established for peer workers. The following are some frequently used guides about the skills, approaches and ethical conduct approaches used by peer workers.
Te Pou Competencies for the Mental Health and Addiction Service User, Consumer and Peer Workforce
International Association for Peer Supporters National Practice Guidelines for Peer Supporters
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Code of Conduct.
This is not a peer worker specific code — it applies to all workers, including peer workers, that are providing NDIS support.
Resources for Peer Workers
Sign up to our newsletter or visit our events page for details of our upcoming meetings and other current courses and workshops.
Education and Training
Sign up to our newsletter or visit our events page for details of our upcoming Network meetings and other current courses and workshops.
The peer work pathways guide explains current formal training pathways for peer workers.
Supervision Resources
Supervision means regularly taking part in conversations that help you to be effective in your role and sustain a sense of fulfilment and wellbeing at work. There are many types of supervision and supervision is most effective when it is tailored to you and your role.
Find Supervision
A free wellbeing supervision session is provided at our WAPSN meetings. You can also Contact Us for options if you would like to find a peer work supervisor.
Tools
Group Reflection/Co-Reflection Template
A reflective debriefing tool that can be done in pairs or groups.VMIAC and Centre for Psychiatric Nursing. Consumer Perspective Supervision: A Framework for Supporting the Consumer Workforce.
Explains why supervision matters, values and principles of good supervision.
Workplace / Role Advice
If you would like confidential advice on your role as a peer worker or matters in the workplace, you can contact us.
Other Useful Contacts
Unions can also assist with workplace advice and representation, if you are a union member.
The Employment Law Centre offers a free advice line and fact sheets on your rights as an employee.
Wellbeing at Work
Help Guide Managing Stress at Work
Tips on managing stress.Headspace Meditation Videos- mini one minute meditations and sleep meditations
Kristin Neff’s Meditations for Self-Compassion
Free guided audio meditations.
Ethical and Practice Guidelines
Work requirements such as standards or codes of conduct are not yet established for peer workers. The following are some frequently used guides about the skills, approaches and ethical conduct approaches used by peer workers.
Te Pou Competencies for the Mental Health and Addiction Service User, Consumer and Peer Workforce
International Association for Peer Supporters National Practice Guidelines for Peer Supporters
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Code of Conduct
This is not a peer worker specific code- it applies to all workers, including peer workers, that are providing NDIS support.