Peer Support.

Talking to someone who has been through the same experiences as yourself can greatly benefit your mental wellbeing. Just knowing you are not alone is a tremendous help to many people.

Do I need Peer Support

It is not always easy to understand your needs, though you have taken the first step and identified you need help.

Peer support is an alternative form of help, provided by people who can offer knowledge, experience, emotional, social or practical help on a reciprocal basis.

It can be from “lending an ear” to sharing stories of similar situations, and discussing coping mechanisms that helped.

It may be you just want to talk your situation through with others who have experienced it, to know the people you are speaking with have been through what you have.

In many cases peer support is free, offered through websites, forums, community halls. See our list of peer support groups.

What is Counselling

Counselling is usually provided by a qualified professional counsellor or therapist and they may specialise in a particular field such as bereavement, anxiety, sleep.

The main objective of professional counselling is to help you manage your issues and provide therapy towards addressing and overcoming your issues.

Counselling offers you space and time to talk about your feelings in a safe, non-judgmental and confidential setting.

They will give you advice and guidance in a structured manner through coping mechanisms, tasks and objectives to complete between sessions.

A professional counsellor can help you learn to understand and accept your feelings, rebuild self-esteem and help you become the person you want to be.

In many cases professional counselling comes with a fee, though it may be available through various charities for free.

See counselling