Janice Arnoldi
Janice Arnoldi
Peer support for people living with mental health and substance challenges
Peer support for people living with mental health and substance challenges
Peer support for people living with mental health and substance challenges
Wednesday 9th April 2025
Explore how peer support programs like Welcoming Streets and Niagara HELPS are making a difference for those facing mental health and substance challenges.
24 minutes
Informative
Compassionate
Supportive
Hopeful
Encouraging
About this podcast
Author:
Janice Arnoldi
Overview:
Categories:
Sobriety Toolkit
Body & Mind
Innovative Treatments & Recovery Paths
Sexual Stigmas & Myths
Parenting & Children
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Episodes:
112 (View all)
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Get the buttons here!The Power of Peer Support: Transforming Lives Through Community Programs
Episode Overview
- Welcoming Streets provides street-level outreach and support in St. Catharines.
- Peer workers with lived experience play a crucial role in connecting individuals to services.
- Niagara HELPS places peer navigators in hospitals to assist those experiencing homelessness.
- Community collaboration is essential for the success of these programs.
- Peer support initiatives focus on both immediate assistance and long-term recovery.
We often take for granted some of the basic life skills that many of us have been privileged to learn over the years.
In this episode of Life Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and Addiction, host Janice Arnoldi sheds light on the power of peer support for those grappling with mental health and substance use challenges. The episode kicks off with an introduction to the Welcoming Streets pilot program in St. Catharines, a partnership between Reach Niagara and Positive Living Niagara.
Talia Storm, who leads the Streetworks program at Positive Living Niagara, shares her insights on the importance of street-level outreach and the impact of peer support in helping individuals connect with essential services. Talia emphasises how peer workers, with their lived experiences, are uniquely positioned to provide support and build trust with those in need. She discusses the various roles peer workers play, from distributing naloxone to offering case management and system navigation, highlighting the comprehensive nature of the program.
Janice also chats with Nancy Garner, executive director of Quest Community Health Centre, about the Niagara HELPS program. This initiative places peer navigators in Niagara hospitals to assist individuals experiencing homelessness and mental health crises. Nancy explains how these navigators, who have firsthand experience with homelessness and addiction, provide crucial non-clinical support and advocacy, bridging the gap between patients and healthcare providers.
Both Talia and Nancy discuss the broader implications of these programs, stressing the importance of community collaboration and the transformative power of peer support. They highlight how these initiatives not only offer immediate assistance but also work towards long-term recovery and stability for participants. If you're interested in understanding how peer support can make a tangible difference in the lives of those struggling with mental health and addiction, this episode is a must-listen.