What Peer Support Really Looks Like
Nova Scotia, Canada
Day in the life of a peer supporter.
Ever wondered what it’s like to be on the other end of the Peer Support Phone Service line?
Meet Tricia
One of our amazing telephone peer supporters who brings calm, compassion, and understanding to every call.
“I always start my shift by creating a calm space -a tidy desk, a cup of coffee, and a clear head. It helps me be fully present for each caller.” Evenings tend to be busiest, Tricia says.
“There’s a natural lull around supper, but later on, calls pick up. People often reach out when things slow down and they finally have a quiet moment.” Building connection over the phone takes empathy and patience. She keeps her voice soft and gives caller all the space they need to voice what is happening for them. Tricia points out that many callers aren’t looking for advice, just someone who gets it.
“A lot of callers aren’t really interested in outside support suggestions. They are mainly calling to vent to us as peer supporters (us being their support)” Tricia’s lived experience plays an important role in how she shows up for callers. It helps her understand what it means to reach out, to struggle, and to feel seen while her professional training ensures she supports others safely and respectfully.
“I avoid talking about myself or anything too personally because the call is about them. I will relate to their situation if the opportunity presents itself, but I try talk less and give the caller space/ time to speak freely.”
The most rewarding moments?
“Speaking to someone who is clearly upset and not knowing who to talk to so they relay on us for support. Having a caller be upset, but then happy or feeling better at the end of the call is very rewarding.”
Is there a story, quote, or small moment that captures what this work means to you?
“It’s very meaningful knowing I can be there for someone, even if it’s just over the phone. It’s easy to connect with someone and just to be able to listen to their story, problem. It reminds me we are all human, and we all have been through good days and bad days. It’s a nice feeling.”
The Peer Support Phone Service is available to anyone in Nova Scotia who needs someone to listen. Calls are answered by trained peer supporters with lived experience of recovery, mental health, or substance use challenges.
What does peer support look like in a clinical setting and in the community?
Meet Angela
Every day looks a little different for Angela, a Peer Support Specialist who supports peers both in hospital and in the community- but her focus remains the same: connection, understanding, and hope.
Angela works both inpatient on the mental health and addiction units and out in the community and explains,
“In hospital, the support is often about listening, helping people feel seen, and offering hope when things feel heavy. In the community, it’s more about walking alongside people as they rebuild, supporting small steps, connecting to resources, and celebrating their progress.”Lived experience is what grounds Angela’s work.
“A lot of the people I meet are struggling with substance use, or with the guilt, shame, and fear that often comes with it. I’ve been there myself, I know what it’s like to reach that point where you finally ask for help and unsure of what comes next. Because of that, I can meet my peers without judgement. Sharing pieces of my own story, like what it felt like to start over. That shared understanding creates a real connection. It reminds us that recovery is possible and that no one has to go through it alone.” Between hospital and community visits, she takes a few quiet minutes, sometimes sitting in her car or taking a short walk, to reset and leave one space behind before entering another.
“When life becomes busier, I notice I need to be more intentional with my own self-care. When things are quieter, I use that time to connect with peers I haven’t seen in a while.”
Angela feels privileged to facilitate two peer support groups a week at the hospital.
“My favourite part is watching peers connect with others from different units and seeing those genuine moments of understanding between them. It’s really nice to see them support one another, share their experiences, and show such resilience. Those connections are powerful and remind me why this work matters.”
Angela works closely with clinical colleagues to ensure peer support is meaningfully integrated on the units and readily available to those who need it. Her clinical partners, especially her Primary Point of Contact, recognize the unique value that lived experience brings to recovery. This collaboration is built on mutual respect while Angela collaborates with the care team, peer confidentiality is always maintained and upheld by both Angela and staff.
A meaningful benefit of Angela’s role as a peer supporter has been uncovering community resources, she hadn’t been aware of before often learning about them directly from peers or other community partners. This expanding knowledge allows her to share options that more closely align with each peer’s individual goals and needs.
The most rewarding moments?
“Seeing people take steps toward the life they want. It’s rewarding to see the growth that happens after discharge, even small changes are impactful.”
Is there a story, quote, or small moment that captures what this work means to you?
“One moment that stays with me is when a peer said, “You believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself”. That’s what this job is about for me, being there, so my peers know they are not alone.”
Peer Support Nova Scotia has peer supporters working in mental health acute care units, select clinics, Recovery Support Centres in Dartmouth and New Glasgow, and with the Inpatient Addiction Medicine Consult Service. Being invited into someone’s wellness journey is a privilege and one our peer supporters hold with deep respect, care, and the belief that recovery is always possible.
Learn more about Peer Support Nova Scotia and the Peer Support Nova Scotia Phone Service!