By Suzanna Chen
Have you ever wanted to have a mentor but is afraid of communicating with someone much older and more experienced than you? Have you ever turned away a mentorship opportunity because you feel awful for taking someone else's advice but are unable to give them any? Well, if you happen to be troubled by these fears, peer mentoring – or peer support – might be for you!
What is peer mentoring?
Peer mentoring – or peer support – is a mentoring relationship between two individuals of similar age. These relationships are centered around a shared experience or problem – such as mental health concerns – between both parties. In most cases, one participant has more experience and knowledge about the issue than the other, therefore allowing him or her to be the provider of support and expertise. However, because of the similar age range, the mentor-mentee relationship can often develop into a friendly co-learning relationship, where information and skills are mutually exchanged. This aspect makes peer mentoring desirable for many.
Why peer mentoring?
There are many advantages of peer mentoring compared to conventional mentoring. First, peer mentors are simply more accessible than conventional mentors. It is easier to reach out to a friend or someone of similar age rather than potentially intimidating adults. However, many often express concerns about the possible lack of experience of peer supporters compared to the older and more experienced conventional mentors. For example, if two similar-aged teenagers who are still struggling with depression attempt to provide support to each other, it is quite possible their experiences will not benefit – or might even harm – the other in his or her process of recovery. To address this concern, specialized organizations in Canada – such as Peer Support Canada – are offering certification for peer mentors whom they deem suitable for the job. It is essential to look for certified peer mentors to ensure the quality of your mentoring relationship.
Second, studies have also shown that peer mentors are more likely to emphasize with their mentees. Or in 21st-century language, they relate. A similar age enables them to better understand what you are going through.
Also, peer mentors can offer a sense of equity and increase the level of intimacy in your mentoring relationships. Many teens have trouble sharing their concerns with adults because they feel as if the adults are in a position of authority. Fortunately, this problem doesn't exist with peer mentors. Having a peer mentor can be similar to having a friend. This makes it easier to share personal thoughts that would be difficult to reveal to an adult. And the personal thoughts allow the mentor to discover the cause of your concerns more quickly and give better advice.
Therefore, the similar age of peer mentors makes them more accessible, more empathetic, and more likely to be able to connect with you on an equal and personal level. These are all qualities that can significantly increase the effectiveness of a mentoring relationship.
How can I implement peer mentoring?
If the idea of starting a peer support program in your community interests you, here are a few things to consider.
The biggest concern – as previously mentioned – of peer mentoring is the eligibility of the mentors. In most programs currently active in Canada, peer support takes the form of a group therapeutic circle where participants are both mentors and mentees. This makes the certification even more critical for the program to succeed. It is crucial to have a few certified individuals for the reassurance of the participants and the effectiveness of the mentoring relationships. Moreover, if multiple participants are involved, it is best to make sure they too are prepared for the program. This might mean having a conversation with them beforehand to evaluate their mental health status and what they might bring into the program.
Because of the instability of participants' eligibility, it is recommended that organizers keep vigilant of the health of the mentoring relationships. A suggestion from local peer support programs is to receive periodic feedback from individual participants. This process allows the organizers to be notified of the experiences of participants in the program, which can further serve as information needed for the program to improve.
Overall, if you are interested in implementing peer mentoring, check out the designs of successful peer support programs, ensure the eligibility of your participants, be receptive to people's experiences, and be alert of the disturbances that keep the program from being a positive and supportive environment.
Where can I find more information about peer mentoring?
I bet your brain already shouted out, "Google it!" as soon as you saw the question. Yes, search engines are convenient ways to find professional information and local programs of peer mentoring. Also, your local clinics, community centers, schools, mental health wings of hospitals, government websites, and mental health research centers might have great resources and information. In addition, almost every university and college in Canada have peer support or mentoring programs. Their websites are also great places for information.
Some websites I recommend: Peer Support
Canada (https://peersupportcanada.ca)
Peer-Mentoring for Early Childhood Educators in British Columbia (https://ecepeermentoring.trubox.ca)
Center for Innovation in Campus Mental Health (https://campusmentalhealth.ca)
Jack.org (https://jack.org/Resources)
Foundry (https://foundrybc.ca)
After this article, would you be interested in peer mentoring? I hope that you've enjoyed learning about this fantastic alternative to conventional mentoring. Keep in mind that this method of mentorship is still newly developed and evolving, and passionate innovators – might be you – can revolutionize how the process operates and how it is being received by the public. If you are interested, make an effort to look up, support, or spread the word for your local peer mentoring programs!
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