Peer or peer-to-peer support is when people use their own experiences to help each other.
Here 4 U was established to help reduce the sense of isolation many people experienced because of public health restrictions to combat the spread of COVID-19. At that time, some supports to help people going through mental health difficulties were not available or were more limited than usual.
SUAS recognised that, during the periods of lockdown, there was a need for an online space where people who have a shared experience of mental ill-health can support one another. Their goal was to offer a safe, welcoming place for people to come together and discuss how they managed during such uncertain times.
Here 4 U began its pilot phase in January 2021, ran both by and for former service users of St Patrick's Mental Health Services, who were specially trained to facilitate this kind of service. This training covered topics including facilitation roles and skills, group dynamics, non-judgmental spaces, self-care, vicarious trauma, active listening and more, all tailored to the objectives and needs of those both hosting and taking part in the service.
Here 4 U ran for a ten-month period, coming to an end on 14 October 2021. Many supports to help people going through mental health difficulties became available once again and the need and demand for the service declined with this.
We would like to thank our service users who were involved in establishing and running this important service, and everyone who attended it.
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