Peer Support
Canadian Mental Health Association
CMHA Calgary’s Peer Support service offers a unique opportunity to connect one-on-one with someone who has lived experience with mental health or substance use challenges — someone who has been there.
Through these supportive conversations, individuals, family members, and professionals can find understanding, validation, and hope from someone who truly gets it. Peer Support can help you explore recovery goals, learn coping strategies, and build confidence as you move forward.
Peer Support is not counselling or therapy — it’s a safe, confidential, and non-clinical space to talk with someone who has journeyed a similar path. Our trained Peer Support Workers use their personal experiences and specialized training to build authentic connections, share tools and resources, and foster empowerment, belonging, and resilience.
This free service can be especially valuable for those considering counselling, waiting for an appointment, or seeking real-life, experience-based guidance on their recovery journey.
Who Is This For?
For adults (18+), who are:
- People experiencing mental health or substance use concerns
- Family members or caregivers supporting loved ones.
- Professionals seeking peer-informed perspectives
- Anyone looking for understanding, non-clinical support from someone with lived experiences
What To Expect?
Clients can expect:
- One-on-one conversations with trained Peer Support Workers who has personal experience with mental health or substance use challenges
Available Appointment Types:
- In-Person
- Virtual
What Is The Price?
This is a free service.
What Are The Benefits?
- Genuine understanding and empathy from someone with lived experience
- A stronger sense of connection, belonging, and reduce isolation
- Encouragement and guidance in building resilience and emotional skills
- Meaningful support while waiting to access traditional counselling or other services
WHAT TO EXPECT
How does it work?
Choose and book a session.
You provide brief information on this secure site. Then choose the counselling time that works for you.
Receive Confirmation.
You will receive an email confirmation. At your appointment time, the counsellor will call you.
Your Counselling Session.
One 45-90-minute counselling session may be enough to address your needs. Other support options can also be discussed during your session.
Fee Structure
Community Connect YYC is committed to ensuring community members get the help they need when they need it, with as few barriers as possible, including finances. Some services found on the site are offered at no cost, some on a sliding scale basis, and others with a model that allows you to choose your own session fee. Every partner organization ensures that finances will never get in the way of accessing the service you need. For more information on the specific fee model of the service you selected, please review the service description or speak to the service provider with whom you book.
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