Peer Support Worker Program

The Peer Support Program provides an opportunity for people who have received mental health care to call upon their experience to provide relevant goal-based support to youth, adults and older adults who have serious and/or persistent mental health/substance use challenges.

Peer Support Workers are individuals with lived experience of mental illness/substance use who have graduated from a Peer Support Worker Training Program. These individuals work on a contracted basis under the supervision of Rehabilitation staff with clients who access Vancouver Mental Health and Substance Use programs and services , providing support to achieve personal goals, learn new skills, and link with community resources. The peer support relationship typically lasts until the established goals of the relationship are achieved. This varies from weeks to months.

Peer Support Worker Training is provided through Vancouver Mental Health and Substance Use and other organizations such as Coast Mental Health. Peer support workers receive classroom and practical training. Areas of learning include roles and responsibilities, communication, boundaries, strengths-based approach/psychosocial rehabilitation principles, trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, and confidentiality.

Access to receive peer support is through referral from a staff member on the mental health team or unit where a client is receiving services. To request a peer support worker, please ask your health care provider. 

For information about becoming a Peer Support Worker and training, please call 604-708-5276 or email ronald.carten@vch.ca.