History, Background, and Pilot
The idea behind the Like Minds program emerged from the Consumer/Survivor Community. A work group was developed to consider an educational program for Peers in the Mental Health System. The curriculum for Like Minds was designed by the Consumer/Survivor Community, and meant to be delivered by Peer Educators.
Guiding Principles
1. Designed and delivered by peers
2. Embedded in Recovery
- Wellness and hope
- Real and autonomous choice
- Anti-oppression and anti-discrimination
- Leadership and education
- Social Justice and advocacy
3. Inclusive
- Like Minds acknowledges the variety of peer support opportunities that exist
- Participants were: Volunteers and paid employees; they worked in M/S and CSI’s; they were Directors of a Board; and they were concerned citizens.
4. Emphasis on Leadership, empowerment and system change
- Considering the philosophical differences in leadership and support – consensus oriented
- Recognizing the risks and opportunities in leadership
5. Peer Support is distinct
Curriculum (3+1 day workshop style)
A. Knowledge and appreciation about recovery and peer support
- Each session begins and ends with preparation for mindful participation facilitated by our First Nations educator
- Exercises and experiences define and realize recovery as the foundation underpinning peer support
- Presentations and discussion highlight issues of power, justice, and empowerment
- Role and perspective of peer support – as distinct
B. Learning about and feeling comfortable doing peer support
- Two components: a) understanding the work and b) working with peers
- What is the role? What is the expertise in the program? What knowledge and skills are important?
- Opportunities to learn more and practice: getting to know someone; encouraging; supporting; motivating; managing boundaries* and wellness and self-care
C. Personal preparation to do the work
- Working in M/S teams
- Personal organization
- Leadership
- Discrimination, Rights
- Ongoing learning strategies
- Advocacy
D. Reflection and Knowledge integration
- 4-6 weeks after the session, participants rejoin and discuss how the program affected their work and their perspective
- The effectiveness and impact of the program is evaluated
- The curriculum is reviewed
- Opportunities for system change are considered – embedding Like Minds in the larger recovery strategy emerged from this process
E. An Education Workshop to prepare Peer Educators has been developed. For more information regarding this manual, contact: Kate.
Program expectations:
- Knowledge and appreciation about recovery and peer support
- Learning about and feeling comfortable doing peer support
- Personal preparation to do the work
- Reflection and Knowledge integration
