By Zoë Fullen
November 2022 marked the the start of the 2nd season of the Peer Support Program at Silver Linings. We are now training the second cohort of peer mentors who will go on to support individuals in recovery. Last year 15 remarkable people from our community stepped up to train as mentors for eating disorder recovery and this year we have 16 new people who want to do the same.
In order to become a mentor, an individual must have lived-experience with an eating disorder and be 2+ years recovered. Being able to connect with someone who knows what you are going through can be incredibly helpful during recovery.
Last year's training and subsequent support relationships were a resounding success. We continue to receive very positive feedback from both mentors and mentees and we are pleased to continue to offer this valuable program free of charge. In honor of the second installment of our Peer Support Program, I sat down to chat with Kathryn, a peer mentor, about her perspective on the peer support relationship.
SLF: What compelled you to become a peer mentor with Silver Linings?
Kathryn: It’s two fold, as someone with lived experience it was a great opportunity to be able to share my perspective with someone who’s currently working through their recovery. I’m also a board member for Silver Linings and from an organizational perspective, I was curious to understand the program better and experience the training. All mentors go through clinically supervised training that is delivered through Eating Disorders Nova Scotia and I can say that it’s very thoughtful and thorough training. I felt well equipped to take on mentees afterwards.
SLF: It’s important to distinguish peer support from therapy. They are not the same thing. Is that something you have to manage expectations about?
Kathryn: Not really because the program is set up so that both mentors and mentees are screened to assess wellness and set expectations before. Mentors are screened before they begin training and mentees do an intake that evaluates their level of need. If someone is medically unstable this isn’t a program that’s going to help them, but if someone is actively working through recovery and has a primary clinician this program is a strong adjunct support. I was matched with my mentees based on what they were looking for in a mentor.
SLF: You have more than one mentee?
Kathryn: Yep and I know a few other mentors do too. It’s interesting for me because my mentees are totally different people at different stages of their lives. Our mentors and mentees are all ages and backgrounds. It really is a program for everyone.
SLF: I know many people are curious about the format of peer support meetings. Do you meet in person, have calls or video chats?
Kathryn: I know lots of mentors do it in different ways, but I usually do Facetime or video calls with my mentees. We meet fairly regularly and that ebbs and flows based on their needs, but typically once every two weeks. The program is supposed to be flexible so it doesn’t feel like another appointment. Facetime works well because it feels personal and approachable.
SLF: How has being a peer mentor made you reflect on your own recovery?
Kathryn: I have many thoughts about this. Obviously being around someone who is in the early stages of recovery is a big reminder of how far I have come. It really puts into perspective the growth I’ve made and makes me feel like I actually have valuable wisdom I can share. There is also some grief related to not having had this kind of support when I was in early recovery. I’m so pleased programs like this exist and that people going through recovery know they are absolutely not alone and at the same time I am sad the younger me missed out.
SLF: What is your advice for someone considering becoming a mentor?
Kathryn: Reach out. Talk to our program coordinator to find out if it’s right for you. There is a commitment to attend the training and then to make yourself available but it’s a very high-impact way to give back.
SLF: What would you tell someone who is hesitant to reach out as a mentee?
Kathryn: Again, reach out to chat with the program coordinator Sophie, she’ll put you at ease and help you figure out if it will be of benefit to you. I think adding as many people to your support network as you can, is a great way to further your recovery. Surround yourself with people who “get it”.
SLF: You have lived experience with an eating disorder and your mentor people who also do - from an insider's perspective, what is a small actionable item that people who haven’t struggled, can do to be supportive?
Kathryn: Be mindful of how you talk about food, weight and appearance. Diet-talk, at worst, perpetuates harmful body standards and can alienate people in recovery. At best diet-talk it’s boring. Nobody cares if you “earned your french fries”. Don’t be boring.
SLF: Agreed nothing kills the party mood like someone talking about how fattening the food is. Thanks for sharing your perspective Kathryn.
To date the Peer Support Program has helped over 39 mentees and this month we are beginning another round of mentee recruitment. If you or someone you know could use this kind of help, I urge you to reach out. The program is completely free and works with your schedule.
Learn more here: https://www.silverliningsfoundation.ca/peer-mentorship