What is it?
At its core, peer support is simply connecting as humans through shared experiences. Ever said to someone, "I've been through that...I understand!" It's kind of like that. In the case of peer supports offered at Fusion Collaborative, it's structured a bit more formally through:
State certification of peer support specialists
And being guided by a scope of practice, code of ethics, and core competencies
Emphasis on connecting through lived experiences of mental health journeys, trauma healing, and, for some, inclusive of the intersection with substance use or misuse.
What can it do?
So much! Take a moment to think about a time when you felt understoo