Peer Support Mentorship
(PSM) Program Mentor Role Description
PSM Program Mentor will act as a role model by providing knowledge and support based on their own successful management of a mood disorder/psychosis to Mentee (someone 18-35 years and currently experiencing a mood disorder/first time psychosis). The PSM Mentor will assist the PSM Committee in its goal to support youth in better managing their own mood disorder/psychosis.
Line of Authority: PSM Mentors report to the PSM committee
Tasks and Responsibilities:
- Provide peer support to a Mentee living with a mood Disorder/psychosis
- Assist with de-stigmatizing the “disorder" by helping to break down barriers to gaining treatment - encourage, reinforce and model positive steps towards recovery
- Suggest topics of discussion and places to explore in the community
- Create and develop relationships within the community
- Bond with mentee over shared issues and concerns
- Provide hope and inspiration for the future by sharing your personal life stories
- Help Mentees reach their full potential
- Assist Mentees with setting and reaching their personal goals
- Build a supporting relationship to provide Mentees with the security to end the relationship should they outgrow it. Being respectful and graceful in ending a relationship with Mentees in a way that supports their sense of self should the relationship need closure (i.e. Mentee needs to move on or the Mentor needs to move on)
- Complete group forms (for statistics)
- Attend development training initiatives and group meetings
Responsibilities:
- 2–4 hours of quality time spent with the mentee (twice a month)
- Attend mentor development trainings
- Attending Quarterly group mentor–mentee activities;
- Monthly phone check-ins with YMP Committee member (for support)
- Every 3 months – attend PSM Committee meetings to discuss progress of mentee
- Semi-annual goal-setting meeting with mentee and PSM Committee
Qualifications:
- Excellent self care and attention to good mental health
- Successful completion of a criminal reference check
- Successfully managing a mood disorder and willing to share knowledge with and support someone else
- A strong desire to help others and belief in others capabilities.
- Patient, mature, good self-awareness , solid boundaries and sound judgment.
- Personable/Good sense of humour.
- Open-minded
- Have the ability to work with others – team player.
- Empathetic, great listener
- Be committed to relationships.
- Value diversity (sexual, religious, financial, cultural, etc.) and be open to different points of views.
- Educational or working/volunteer experience with Peer Support Groups , concepts and approaches an asset, but not mandatory
- Training in crisis management skills an asset but, not mandatory.
- Background in Social Work/Psychology/Counselling or similar discipline an asset, but not mandatory
Time Commitment: 1 year minimum