Brittny’s Story – A Unique Gift

“Coast has really helped me find out more about myself and how I can use my unique gifts to help others”, says Brittny, who trained as a Peer Support Worker. 

Peer Support Workers are a vital part of community-based mental health services. Folks with personal experience of living with a mental illness are trained to support their peers. Not only does it benefit those they support, it also has a big impact on their own lives, too.

Brittny is just one of the many Peer Support Workers trained thanks to your incredible support.

“A couple of years ago I was hospitalized for the first time due to mental health issues. I went to a transitional program shortly after, and I saw a poster for Peer Support Training.” she explains.

Peer Support Workers can then go on to be employed by Coast or other non-profits and health authorities. And working in a stigma-free environment can make all the difference to their own lives.

“I was looking for a place where I could be more open about my own struggles with mental health. And I really liked the idea that I could use my own experience to help somebody else”.

Peer Support Workers are the backbone to much of the programming at places like Coast’s Resource Centre in Vancouver. Folks may feel more comfortable opening up about their own mental health journey with someone that is on their own recovery journey. In turn, they build a trusting relationship that can help them access the resources they need.

“I started off doing the art group; we set up materials for people to come in. If they want to talk, I’m there, if they just want to paint together, that’s also fine; art is therapeutic! There’s also a gardening group and I facilitate a bingo group.”

Coast Mental Health’s Peer Support program would not be possible without kind people like you. Thank you!