Peer Support

Bipolar Self-Management Course

And Maintaining Support Networks

05/05/2013 Peer support by David Lazarus 2

Introduction

05/05/2013 3Peer support by David Lazarus

What is it that we come together to do and why?


Peer or mutual support is: a process by which people come together to help

each other address common problems or shared concerns.

a system of giving and receiving help founded on key principles of respect, shared responsibility, and mutual agreement of what is helpful.

not based on psychiatric models and diagnostic criteria.

about understanding another’s situation empathically through the shared experience of emotional and psychological pain.


When people find affiliation with others they feel are “like” them, they feel a connection.

This connection, or affiliation, is a deep, holistic understanding based on mutual experience where people are able to “be” with each other without the constraints of traditional (expert/patient) relationships.


One of the main differences between peer support and naturally occurring social support may be the intentional way in which it occurs.

There is usually a specific setting involved where

New information,

Perspectives,

Training,

Skills, and

A supportive social climate are fostered.


As trust in the relationship builds, all members are able to respectfully challenge each other when they find themselves in conflict.

This allows members of the peer community to try out new behaviours with one another and move beyond previously held self-concepts built on disability and diagnosis.

This is referred to as “mutual empowerment”


Peer support can offer a culture of health and ability as opposed to a culture of “illness” and disability.

The primary goal is to responsibly challenge the assumptions about mental illnesses and at the same time to validate the individual for who they really are and where they have come from.


Peer support should attempt to think creatively and non-judgmentally about the way individuals experience and make meaning of their lives in contrast to having all actions and feelings diagnosed and labelled.


Peer support is not about “joining a club for the mentally ill.” It is not a competition of stories or symptoms or about being rescued or infantilized. Peer support is an inclusive model that creates room for all people to fully experience “being who they are,” growing in the directions of their choice and, in the process of being supported in these goals, begin to help restructure larger systems.


What is Peer Support founded on?


Peer support is founded on core values such as: Empowerment

Taking responsibility for one’s own recovery

The need to have opportunities for meaningful life choices

Valuing the lives of people with bipolar disorder as equal to those of people without mental health problems.




Aid in adherence of medication

Focus on problems in relationship with the doctor

Lower hospitalization rates

Peer support groups have been successful in improving patient satisfaction with traditional mental health services, in part because they facilitate the development of a collaborative model of treatment.


Support, education and advocacy of groups are important factors in dealing successfully with bipolar disorder.

This is a place for you to become empowered, a place where you can increase your knowledge of the illness that you have and how it affects you.

It is a place where you can gain better understanding of the self-management skills that you will require to take more control of the illness that it is affecting your life.


What do the services provided by Bipolar Chelmsford offer you?


Teaching you how to stick to your treatment or care plan. Group meetings incorporate elements of support

while providing practical information about dealing with your mental illness.

Members should learn specifically about how to prepare and use a relapse prevention plan.

This document can alert you and others to feelings and behaviours that signal a possible impending relapse; it also details what needs to be done,and by whom, to intervene successfully.


Inspiring you. Group sessions shouldn’t be pity parties, but rather,

places where you can get concrete ideas of how to improve your wellness.

Those who attend Bipolar Chelmsford Self-help Group Meetings should see people with bipolar facilitating the meeting ideally away from demoralization.

They talk about ways of self-managing the illness and the members learn that they can get through this, too.


Creating an emotionally safe environment. Bipolar Chelmsford’s Code of Conduct makes it clear

that it's everyone's job, not just the facilitator's, to keep away from judging and criticizing but to respect everyone who is present.


Providing information about services and resources available in the community. Since members will likely be seeing many different

mental health professionals either at The Linden Centre or at the C & E Centre, they have access to information from various sources which they can share with other members.

The people they have met.

The books they have read.

The Websites that they have come across.


Health & Medicine

Peer Support