Maximize Your Peer Support Program: 5 Strategies to Boost Engagement and Increase Participation
"This program demonstrates the organization has put money to their words. Having a Peer Support Program is a clear demonstration that the organization cares."
— Angela Slobodian, Acting Director of Wellness, Ottawa Police Service
Peer Support Programs (PSPs) crowdsource natural human benevolence; that is, they tap into the innate kindness and compassion of people by training peer supporters to provide valuable support to their colleagues. Besides genuine empathy, peer supporters help people feel connected and become a role model for recovery.
Even if peers don't share the same mental health experiences, that connection holds great value. People can start to feel better simply by knowing they are not alone and that others also understand what they are going through.
Peer supporters offer guidance, empathy, and understanding based on their own lived experiences. By leveraging the power of shared experiences, PSPs can help reduce stress, improve mental health, and foster a more supportive work environment.
However many organizations often initially experience low utilization and need help to gain traction with these programs. It can be disheartening for those involved and may lead people to question the program's impact.
Addressing the common challenges is essential for maximizing your peer support program.
At MHI, we recognize that it's common for organizations to face challenges when implementing PSPs. Initially, it's not unusual for these programs to experience low engagement and participation. Building a successful peer support program takes time and effort. By implementing some key strategies, your organization can boost the effectiveness of your PSP and encourage greater engagement from employees.
Our team of experts, who bring their experience in peer support skills training (PSST), PSP management, and internal communication strategies, has put together 5 suggested tips to help you tackle these challenges.
1. Executive Management Endorsement
Secure the support of executive management and encourage them to actively promote the program. When employees see that upper management is invested in the peer support program, they feel more secure participating. Ensure that this support is communicated clearly and consistently to all employees.
— Sophie Noel, MHI Associate, Bilingual PSST Facilitator
2. Address Fears and Stigma by Preparing the Culture
It is not uncommon for employees to fear accessing the Peer Support Program, as they may be concerned about others finding out, whether that be co-workers or their managers. To alleviate employee fears, it's crucial to prepare the workplace culture first. Featuring peer supporters who share their recovery journey can help reduce the stigma associated with seeking support. Ensure that the culture is ready for the introduction of peer support by offering peer support groups on specific relevant topics, which makes it safer for employees to connect with peer support in a group setting rather than one-on-one. Implementing the WeCARE e-learning program can also help create a receptive environment for peer support.
— Lauren Scott, MHI Director of Peer Support Services
3. Develop a Comprehensive Communication Strategy
Use multiple channels like email, printed posters, and wellness newsletters to engage employees. Share success stories, testimonials, as well as the recovery journey of peer supporters to inspire others to seek help. Increase visibility by promoting the program at internal events and aligning messaging with mental health observance days, such as Global Peer Support Day. This approach balances contact education to decrease stigma while increasing awareness of the program and how to access it.
— Patricia Borsato, Marketing and Communications Specialist, PSST Facilitator
4. Sincere Follow-ups
Without sincere follow-ups the program quickly deteriorates. Genuine follow-up with employees will demonstrate the peer's commitment to both the program and the people they support. This, in turn, fosters growth through continuous contact, ensuring that the Peer Support program remains top of mind. We often speak of the dangers of isolation and by positioning yourself as a beacon for those suffering, ongoing support is naturally encouraged.
— Nate Stahle, MHI Associate, First Responder PSST Facilitator
5. Increase Visibility Through Drop-ins
Boost the visibility of your peer support program by having peer supporters drop in on workplace gatherings, team meetings, and other events with managerial approval. It provides an opportunity for personal connection and allows peer supporters to deliver a brief message about the program, making it more memorable than a memo or email.
— Lynne Turnbull, MHI Associate, First Responder PSST Facilitator
BONUS TIP:
Ensuring the longevity of your Peer Support Program
Building a peer support program doesn't happen overnight. It takes a complex skillset and level of expertise to assess an organization's reality and develop sets of policies and procedures that are fail-proof and that create maximum accountability within the program.
Then there is the challenge of finding the right people. Who in your organization is best suited to become a peer supporter? What competencies and innate skills does this person need to have? Do they need a clinical diagnosis to qualify their lived experience? Can anyone volunteer based on sheer benevolence and willingness to help others?
Once these individuals are selected, what kind of training do they need to develop the skillsets they might be lacking? How can you make sure that your peer supporters always provide safe and policy-compliant peer support? Indeed, workplace peer support programs cannot be taken lightly and require a significant level of due diligence and rigorous training to match nationally recognized competencies and standards of practice
Finally, once the program is up and running, how do you sustain it? What are the performance indicators you should be tracking, and what kinds of tools can help you do just that?
— Stéphane Grenier, MHI Founder and CEO
We hope you find these strategies helpful in maximizing your existing peer support program into a powerful tool for enhancing employee well-being and fostering a culture of care and support.
If you're considering starting a peer support program in your organization, these suggestions can serve as a blueprint to build a successful and engaging program from the ground up.
We're Here to Help
If you're in need of revitalizing your existing program or considering starting a peer support program in your organization, our team of experts is here to help.
We can provide guidance, resources, and best practices to help ensure the success of your peer support program.
Contact us here.
The MHI People Support Program (PSP) will help your organization meet the National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety. If your organization administers its own programs, we can support you by providing any of the components listed above, each aligned with the National Guidelines and Standards of Practice.