Mental health support is an urgent need for people across Canada, especially in rural areas. With an alarming 2.5 million Canadians unable to access the care they require, rural communities face even greater challenges and limited resources. Let’s work together to create positive change so that everyone feels supported, regardless of where they live.
To help address this pressing issue, we invite you to join our Rural Peer Support Fundamentals Training on May 5th and 6th! Delivered in partnership with Sara Riel Inc., this virtual two-day program is designed to equip you with skills to provide effective one-on-one and group peer support in your rural community. In this post, you’ll learn about the life-changing impact of peer support and how you can get involved.
Why Peer Support Is Needed in Rural Communities
Peer support offers a community-based solution to challenges that affect many individuals in rural areas: mental health stigma, feelings of isolation, and a shortage of mental health resources. Peer support groups not only reduce stigma and make people feel less alone, but they can also provide vital education and resources about mental health. Individuals with shared lived experiences have an opportunity to relate to one another, offer advice, and discuss mental health openly in a non-judgemental environment.
The Mental Health Commission of Canada has recognized the immense value of peer support, highlighting the positive difference it can make for people facing mental health challenges, and even encouraging peer support workers to become actively involved in Canada’s healthcare system. Research shows that peer support can aid in recovery and proactively address mental illness, especially in underserved areas where wait times for healthcare are long. Peer support workers are often one of the first individuals that people confide in about their mental health challenges. Because of this, they play a critical role in others’ mental health journeys by uplifting them and reducing stigma. When you become a peer support worker, you become a shoulder for your neighbours to lean on and get to experience the fulfillment that comes from helping others.
What You’ll Learn in the Training 
Our Rural Peer Support Fundamentals Training is open to anyone currently living in or connected to rural communities within Canada, and it’s completely virtual for your convenience. Over two days, you will:
- Develop skills to provide peer support in both one-on-one and group settings.
- Learn to share your personal experiences in a way that fosters connection and healing.
- Gain insights into facilitating your own peer support group while maintaining your personal wellness.
- Understand a variety of peer support principles, including trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and more.
- Gain strategies to create safe and inclusive environments that enable open conversations about mental health.
To help you get started, we also offer supplemental resources on establishing and promoting peer support groups. Visit our Peer Support page to read more about the topics covered in the training and access no-cost resources to enhance your practice!
Training Details
- Dates: May 5th & 6th, 2025
- Times: 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM PDT / 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM CDT
- Location: Online
Spots are limited. Whether you have the desire to start your own group or simply learn how to effectively support those in your community, we encourage you to register today!
Be Part of the Change
By becoming a trained peer support worker, you are joining our mission to reduce stigma and raise mental health awareness in rural Canada. Your lived experience can offer hope to others and show that recovery is possible. Let’s build resilient rural communities where mental health is openly discussed, and resources are readily available: register for Rural Peer Support Fundamentals Training. We are excited to help you offer effective support and make sure that no one in your community must face mental health challenges alone.
References
Canadian Mental Health Association. (n.d.). Peer support in action.
Joo, J. H., Bone, L., Forte, J., Kirley, E., Lynch, T., & Aboumatar, H. (2022). The benefits and challenges of established peer support programmes for patients, informal caregivers, and healthcare providers. Family Practice, 39(5), 903–912.
Lowe, Leyna, Danielle Fearon, Ammar Adenwala and Deb Wise Harris (2024). The State of Mental Health in Canada 2024: Mapping the Landscape of Mental Health, Addictions and Substance Use Health. Toronto, ON: Canadian Mental Health Association.
Mental Health Commission of Canada (n.d.). Peer Support Workers Communities of Practice Discipline Summary. Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.
Author: Monique Zizzo
