Peer Support is available to all Nipissing students both in-person and virtually from September - April.
Our Peer Support Drop-In location has changed as of January 8th, 2024 to room H160.
See below for program hours and details.
One-to-One Peer Support
Every Friday in B210 (excluding holidays/University closures)
Pre-booking is recommended up to 15 days in advance
Meeting options: 12:30pm, 1:30pm or 2:30pm time slots (45-minutes each)
In-person or virtual meetings available
Book a meeting
Chat, connect, enjoy an activity, receive support & information about resources & referrals from a trained Student Peer Supporter. Peer Support is self-directed. Students get to choose what is best for them and what they'd like to get out of the experience.
At Nipissing University, we are proud to be able to offer different options for Peer Support. We offer a drop-in space, one-to-one peer support and outreach services to all Lakers during the academic year.
Peer Support Drop-In
A student-led wellness space on campus where students can drop by and meet informally with other students, no commitment needed. Students get to know each other at their own pace, build connections based on mutual respect and trust, provide/receive non-judgmental support and a listening ear. Trained Peer Supporters who are also students at Nipissing University are available in the space to spend time with students, share wellness information, complete referrals, and assist with advocacy, when needed. The goal is to feel supported while connecting with others and having fun.
One-to-One Peer Support
You will receive the same supports you would receive in Drop-In except you are meeting with a Peer Supporter in a more private environment. You will be able to build meaningful connections, participate in activities (both wellness & leisure-based), and talk about what matters to you all while working towards your wellness goals, if that is what's important to you. Peer Support is completely self-directed which means you decide what is best for you and what you want to share and gain from the experience.
Peer Support Outreach
The Peer Support Team engages in a variety of outreach initiatives throughout the year. These can include but are not limited to: information booths, engaging with the Lakers community via social media, and supporting different causes related to student wellness.
How to get involved:
Students complete a quick sign-up with one of the Peer Supporters the first time they stop by the Peer Support Drop-In or when they book their first one-to-one meeting, whichever comes first. The initial sign-up is completed one time and covers the student's participation for the entire academic year.
Peer Support is FREE to access and although we encourage students to stay involved as much as they can throughout the year, there is no ongoing commitment to stay involved. Students choose what best suits their needs which means they can participate as little or as often as they'd like from September - April. Participation looks different for each unique student as well.
Location and Time
|
Type of Support |
Day of Week |
Location |
Time |
|
Peer Support |
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday |
H160 |
12:30pm-3:30pm |
|
One-to-One |
Friday |
B210 or virtually |
12:30pm-3:30pm |
For more information, email peersupport@nipissingu.ca or call 705-474-3450 ext: 4507.
Meet the Peer Support Team of 2023-2024
Hey! My name is Jamielee, but I am happy to go by Jamie. My pronouns are she/her. I am a third-year Psychology student in the Concurrent Education stream. In the future, I look forward to either teaching kindergarten, or working within the therapy field, as I am very passionate about mental health and wellbeing. This is my first year working in the Peer Support program, and I am very excited to meet new people, as well as learn from them and the program. In the meantime, I love going thrift shopping, hiking with my dogs, painting with friends, listening to music, and binge watching any form of reality TV!
Hi! My name is Christina, my pronouns are she/her. I’m a fourth-year Psychology student with a minor in Gender Studies. This is my first year working as a Peer Supporter and I’m very excited to be a part of the team! I am extremely passionate about wellness and accessible mental health services, with the hopes of one day becoming a therapist. I love reading, watching movies and TV shows, hanging out with friends, listening to music, and nature. I really look forward to meeting new peers and building a great sense of community! I look forward to seeing all the lovely new faces during drop-in and one-to-one programming!
Hi! My name is Noah.
I use he/they pronouns, and I am in my fourth year at Nipissing. I am majoring in English, and I love art, music, cooking, and gaming. I hope to see you at Peer Support!
Hi there! My name is Lauren, and my pronouns are she/her. I’m a fourth-year Psychology student with a minor in art. I am passionate about art and wellness, and hope to one day be an art therapist. I love nature, music, travel, my friends and family, and my dog Mabel. In my free time, you’ll probably find me crafting, watching YouTube videos, or on a bike ride or stroll enjoying the fresh air! I love meeting new people and I look forward to meeting you!
Hello! My name is Jadzea, my pronouns are she/her, and I’m a fourth year Psychology student. I am beyond thrilled to join the Peer Support team for a third year and continue giving back to our school by supporting the mental wellness of my peers. When I’m not studying or working at the Drop-In, you can likely find me walking the trails with my dog, curled up with a fantasy novel and some good tunes, or doing something crafty!
Hi, my name is Dia. I'm a second-year Psychology student. This is my first year working as a Peer Supporter. I place a high value on mental health and wellness. In my spare time, I enjoy playing basketball and love wandering through the wonders of nature whether its hiking in the mountains, taking a stroll by the beach, or simply lying in a meadow and watching the clouds drift by. I believe there's a certain magic in the great outdoors that rejuvenates the spirit. I am looking forward to meeting you in Drop-In or One-to-One Peer Support since I like to interact and socialize with new people.
Hello, my name is Erin. My pronouns are she/her. I am a third-year Psychology student, minoring in Legal Studies. I’m in my third year of working in the Peer Support Program. I enjoy outdoor activities like going on walks, long-boarding, and visiting new places. My hobbies include video games, working on my car, going to the gym, and caring for my house plants. I look forward to meeting you in Peer Support.
Hi! My name is Hannah, and I am a third-year Psychology student. I love traveling, adventure, and making art! I also just love doing anything with my friends, family, and 2 dogs. I hope to see you drop in sometime!
Peer Support Month-at-a-Glance
Peer Support Drop-In Month-at-a-Glance February 2024
Peer Support Drop-In Location: Room H160
Weekly Themes:
Week of Feb 5th - 8th: Managing Relationships (Open Discussion Topics: Creating good support systems & communication skills Challenge: When talking with someone, be mindful of your body language)
Week of Feb 12th - 15th : Comforting Collages (Open Discussion Topics: Future goals and aspirations Challenge: Give yourself an extra act of self-care this week)
Week of Feb 19th - 24th: Closed for Reading Week (For support, contact Student Counselling Services at 705-474-3450 ext. 4507 or email counselling@nipissingu.ca, Monday to Friday 8:30am-4:30pm or call Good2Talk 24/7 at 1-866-925-5454 or text 'GOOD2TALKON' to 686868)
Week of Feb 26th - 29th : Cooking on a Budget (Open Discussion Topics : Barriers/challenges of cooking for yourself & tips and tricks to eating well and within budget Challenge: Make a meal that you enjoy!)
What is Peer Support? Why is it Beneficial?
Peer Support creates an environment where an individual can connect with another individual through shared lived experience. Being able to genuinely say to someone, “I hear you; you are not alone in what you are going through” provides a sense of comfort and connection. Peer Support fosters a welcoming, non-judgemental, safe space where true meaningful connections develop.
These connections are often built on a foundation involving empathy, encouragement, compassion, understanding and hope. Peer support also involves information sharing and referrals to resources, walking alongside another person while empowering them to help themselves and self-direct their own path to recovery. Peer support engages individual strengths and the approach of working “with” instead of “for” the individual to help them to achieve their wellness goals.
Peer Support allows for individuals to be able to communicate on a common ground - an environment where there is no hierarchy. This type of support compliments more traditional clinical approaches while providing a powerful recovery tool and option for individuals who may be feeling isolated or experiencing stigma. A peer support interaction can be empowering and uplifting for the person seeking support and it can also be mutually beneficial for the person providing peer support.
Being able to connect with like-minded individuals through shared lived experience allows for a sense of “togetherness,” feeling supported and listened to. The message of hope and recovery is always at the forefront of the work being done in peer support.
Peer Support provides a valuable service to the Pathways to Care model that exists for students: “Studies show that accessing peer support leads to improved coping and self-management skills, improved social networks, reduced isolation, reduced symptoms, reduced substance use, shorter and fewer hospitalizations, and a reduced need for intensive services”.
(Sunderland, Mishkin, & MHCC Peer Leadership Group, 2013 as cited on the Peer Support Canada Website)