Peer Supporter

**Position Title**: Peer Supporter

A Peer Supporter is a person with Lived and Living Experience dealing with mental health and / or substance use challenges. This role requires a person who not only has dealt with the challenges but is willing and able to discuss them from a position of recovery.

**Position Location**: Winnipeg, Manitoba - Crisis Response Centre

**Positions Available**: Two

**Hours of Work**:1.0 EFT, 35 hours per week, includes days, evenings, weekends, holidays.

**Wage**: 22.00 per hour

**Position Details**: Ability to communicate in multiple languages would be considered an asset.

**Closing Date**:January 15th, 2025 **Position Start Date**: February 21st, 2025

**VISION**:
Mental Wellness for All

**MISSION**:
To provide quality mental health education and value-based peer support for Manitobans and their families dealing with mental health challenges.

**VALUES**:
Hope and Recovery

Self-Determination

Empathetic and Equal Relationships

Dignity, Respect, and Social Inclusion

Integrity, Authenticity, Trust

Health & Wellness

Lifelong Learning & Personal Growth

**Position Summary**

Peer Supporters have gone through a personal journey of recovery/wellness including challenges with addictions, and have obtained peer support-related training (training provided) to assist others with mental health challenges/addictions to identify and achieve life goals as part of their recovery. An individual Peer Supporter:

- Uses strengths-based and recovery-oriented approaches with individuals and groups to help combat stigma, promote self-determination, and instill hope.
- Provides non-clinical support to the person and as such is intended to be a comfort to the person, a resource to individualized community supports and a source of practical recovery/wellness information.
- Draws from lived experience of mental health and/or addiction challenges to provide peer support to those requesting service through Peer Connections Manitoba.

A Peer Supporter will draw from their Lived and Living Experience and work as a member of a diverse inter-professional team to facilitate and support individuals in their recovery/wellness process.

**KEY RESPONSIBILITIES**
- Work collaboratively to support the implementation of recovery/wellness principles in all environments.
- Following protocols, establish contact with person and orient them to the Individual Peer Supporter role, including an understanding of the non-clinical role and voluntary nature of peer support.
- Be available to the individual through their program (in person or virtually) and be willing to share their story as appropriate.
- Provide support in a manner consistent with recovery philosophy, which emphasizes peer and natural support, and the de-escalation of distress.
- When requested by the individual, attend clinical assessment; this may include: Psychiatry assessment, case conferences.
- Provide information about and encourage access to the full range of crisis supports.
- Provide information on individual advocacy, self-help, recovery/wellness, crisis planning and prevention, and empowerment tools as requested by the person.
- Provide information links regarding resources in the community.
- Collaborate with individuals, promote self-advocacy, and support individuals to advocate for themselves.
- Advocate with the individuals as requested.
- Document as per guidelines using strength-based, recovery supporting language.
- Assist the individual with system navigation by providing practical recovery information including individualized community contacts and community peer support.
- Provide education about recovery/wellness and peer support to staff, residents, and students.
- Provide peer support services reflective of the diverse needs of the individual.
- Provide individuals with other well-being supports (food, water, coffee, blankets, activities book, music, writing materials etc.)
- Facilitate groups as required.
- Record required statistics.
- Attend staff meetings as required.
- Meet with supervisor as required.
- Attend the Community of Practice, online or in person.
- Other duties as assigned.

Pay: From $22.00 per hour

Expected hours: 35 per week

**Benefits**:

- Dental care
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- Vision care

Schedule:

- Day shift
- Evening shift
- Holidays
- Weekends as needed

Application question(s):

- This position deals directly with people who are navigating current challenges with their mental health or substance use. Do you feel confident in your ability to consistently support others who are facing current challenges?

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 2025-01-15
Expected start date: 2025-02-21