Creating Hope with Peer Support
We’re collaborating with local and national suicide prevention partners to boost community-based peer support groups and services.
Scottish Government and COSLA Suicide Prevention Strategy and Action Plan Creating Hope Together recognises the valuable contribution of peer support.
Space, compassion and hope
Peer support has a vital role to play in suicide prevention. We know that there are risk factors that can heighten a person’s risk of suicide: social isolation, mental and physical health, gender, difficult life events, and experiencing stigma and discrimination as part of a marginalised group. A peer support approach is a way for people to connect with others with similar experiences. Providing a space where people can share, feel listened to, and explore what could help them find hope.
Peer support helps people to see that they are not alone. It contributes to making sure people receive help at the earliest opportunity. Supporting those who are in the midst of crisis or have survived their own attempt. It ensures the right support is there for people, their families and anyone affected by suicide at the right time.
Workshops coming up!
Our practical workshop builds your skills and confidence in developing supportive peer relationships with people affected by suicide. It’s for Peer Workers / Supporters / Volunteers and people with lived experience interested in developing peer support skills.
Over the next few months, Creating Hope with Peer Support workshops are coming to Edinburgh, Highland, Renfrewshire and Glasgow. Check out the dates and book your place via our Eventbrite channel
The best way to find out about forth-coming workshops is to sign up for our newsletter
I feel empowered and confident to tackle difficult scenarios. More knowledgeable. Discussion between facilitators and peers incredibly constructive.
Want to co-deliver a workshop?
We’re working behind the scenes with groups, organisations and services to co-deliver Creating Hope with Peer Support workshops. If you would be interested in co-delivering with us get in touch
Order your free resource!
A practical resource co-designed, by people already delivering peer support with people impacted by suicide. It uses the Creating Hope with Peer Support Pathway: Connect, Explore, Hope and Support to frame the peer support relationship.
Creating Hope with Peer Support
Activities to prompt discussion and self-reflection. Examples of peer support in action. Use flexibly to build the skills and confidence of you and your team.
OrderPractice guides
A series of four short practice guides to support your work in suicide prevention. Full of learning and practical tips, based on the experiences of peer support groups and services from across Scotland.
DownloadSafely sharing experiences
A partnership project with United to Prevent Suicide and the Suicide Prevention Scotland Lived Experience Panel has resulted in the launch of two new guides to support the sharing and gathering of experiences of mental health and suicide.
The Gathering Lived Experiences’ guide is a fantastic resource. It’s my bible when working with the lived experience panel, and is particularly helpful for the safe induction of new panel members.”
Tracy Millar, Lived Experience Panel Coordinator
Safely sharing experiences
Guide 1 is for people preparing to share their lived experiences. Guide 2 is for people who support people to share their lived experiences.
Free guides