The Peer Support Program is designed to offer students and community members an opportunity for group support from their peers with similar lived experiences. This support takes the form of short term peer support groups created by peer support volunteers.

Peer support volunteers are trained within an anti-oppression framework and supported by staff at The Centre to respond to personal and social concerns, by creating and facilitating small peer support groups around specific topics that affect their lives. As such, peer support volunteers will be empowered to offer mutual support, advocacy, resources and referrals regarding issues they themselves identify with. Peer Support volunteers do not offer formal counselling.

Past groups have focused on issues including: immigrant and migrant experiences; health; mental health; experiences with the mental health system as past or present users and/or consumers and/or survivors; stress relief and self-care; violence and trauma; parenting; relationships; body image; race, racism and identity; poverty; class oppression; gender identity; gender expression; sexual health; sexuality.

If you are interested in becoming a Peer Support Volunteer, check our How To Volunteer page or email coordinator.cwtp AT utoronto DOT ca for more information.

*** The Centre also offers resources, advocacy or referrals on campus or in the community on a drop-in basis, so come in to The Centre, email us or give us a call at 416-978-8201 ***