I’ve been practicing and facilitating peer support for over five years, and the question I get asked the most is:
“What is peer support?”
Truth is, it’s hard to define. Peer support means different things to different people. It shifts depending on your journey. But here are three things I know for sure:
Not in a reading mood? No problem! Watch the full video on my YouTube Channel:
You can’t do peer support alone. That’s self-care (which might be peer support too, you tell me).
Whether it’s a one-on-one conversation or a group session, peer support starts with connection — the kind that says, “I’m here with you.” Sometimes that’s through words. Sometimes it’s just presence. The vibe matters more than advice.
One of my favorite metaphors? Peer support is like talking to a fellow traveler. Not a guide, not a brochure — someone who's walked the road too.
In my own mental health journey, I tried everything: therapy, meds, diet, movement. But what really moved the needle was a conversation with a friend who just listened.
They didn’t fix. They didn’t diagnose. They just held space. That made me feel less alone and gave me hope.
I use the word realm because it’s not a rigid box, it’s a living, breathing space. Peer support sits where emotional pain, growth, grief, and joy all overlap. It’s not about a diagnosis. It’s about presence, compassion, and connection.
Peer support is people creating connection through their lived experience in the realm of mental wellness.
That’s mine. Yours might look different. And I hope it does.
So what’s your definition?
Let me know.
Until next time, take care of yourself, however that looks to you.