How to Start a Peer Support Program in Your Organization

Length: 3 Hours

Target Audience: Public safety leaders, administrators, first responders, wellness coordinators,

HR professionals, chaplains, and mental health professionals in first responder and healthcare

organizations.

Description:

Peer support has emerged as the virtual “standard of care” across high-stress professions,

including law enforcement, fire services, emergency medical services, healthcare, and other

frontline occupations. This three-hour course introduces the foundational principles and practical

steps needed to build a comprehensive peer support program within these high-stress

professions. Participants will learn the why behind peer support, its historical and evidence-based

impact, and the how-to of starting a successful program that meets the unique needs of their

team.

Drawing from real-world experience and best practices, this training will guide you through:

• The history and evolution of peer support in emergency services and healthcare
• What peer supporters do, and what they don’t
• The core principles that make peer support work: trust, confidentiality, and empathy
• Step-by-step instructions for gaining leadership buy-in, assessing your organization’s
• needs, selecting team members, and launching your program

Whether you’re just beginning to explore the idea or looking for guidance on where to start, this

course provides the blueprint to help your organization get an effective peer support program off

the ground.

Course Objectives:

• Understand the mental health challenges faced by frontline professionals and how peer
• support fills the gap
• Learn what makes an effective peer support team (and common pitfalls to avoid)
• Discover how to assess your organization’s readiness and gain leadership support
• Walk away with a step-by-step plan to begin building a program that works