Sharing the Recovery Journey

Peer 2 Peer Pamphlet - For Peer Supporters

Peer 2 Peer Pamphlet - For Peers

Final Report

Welcome to Peer 2 Peer Wellness
(Formerly known as The Wellness Project)

Peer 2 Peer Wellness is a program that trains and matches volunteer peer supporters with inpatients at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre. See “About Peer 2 Peer Wellness” below.

PSO offers a free 10-day training course in peer support for consumer-survivors. This course is designed to prepare volunteers for the role of Peer Supporter within the Peer 2 Peer Wellness program, but can also be used for self-development and honing communication skills. Due to space limitations, the majority of training spots are reserved for those interested in in becoming Peer Supporters. Our next training starts April 24th, 2012. For more information and/or to register for the info session and training, contact Jackie at 613-567-4379 ext. 25 jackiepso@gmail.com

About Peer 2 Peer Wellness
(Formerly known as The Wellness Project)

The goal of Peer 2 Peer Wellness is to provide one-on-one peer support to people receiving inpatient mental health services as they move into the community and build their own recovery. Individuals who who are progressing in there own wellness journey are trained in the philosophy of peer support and recovery, as well as patient rights and the skills needed to provide support. Trained peer supporters and people awaiting support are then matched up, provided with a small honorarium to support their meetings and have access to a Peer Support Coordinator for additional assistance. Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) classes are available to both the peer and peer supporter to provide additional recovery tools.

About the Project
(Formerly known as The Wellness Project)

It began as a pilot project, funded through the Change Foundation in partnership with the Royal Ottawa Health Care Group (ROHCG) from November 2005 to October 2007 to study the effect of peer support and wellness plans on a person’s mental health recovery. (See the final report here). The project now receives ongoing funding from the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care through the Champlain Local Health Integration Network.

Peer Support training is offered to current and ex-mental health service users in the Ottawa area. This 10-day course is led by trained PSO facilitators. The first six days focuses on general peer supporter skills followed by a 4-day orientation to the role of Peer Supporter within the Peer 2 Peer Wellness program. Once trained, peer supporters are matched with an inpatient of the Royal Ottawa’s schizophrenia or mood disorders unit. These peer partnerships meet on a weekly basis, either at the hospital or in the community. In addition to providing an understanding ear and friendship, peer supporters can assist their peer by sharing community resources, doing activities together and supporting them in developing a personal Wellness Recovery Action Plan. WRAP’s are essentially an individual and self-created plan to achieve and maintain wellness.

PSO and other partners in the community provide free courses on creating a personal WRAP. To see available classes in the Champlain area click on the WRAP link in the sidebar.

The Peer 2 Peer Wellness program includes a research component, evaluating the effects of peer support and WRAP on willing peer participants to see if and how it affects their hospitalization usage and general feeling of wellness. It is hoped that the positive benefits of peer support and wellness plans will result in less hospitalization and a more meaningful life for the participants. Questions about the program? Contact Jackie at x25 or jackiepso@gmail.com.