We believe in the transformative power of peer support.
About Peer Support Canada
While Peer Support Canada currently exists as a program of the Canadian Mental Health Association, National, in 2021, CMHA National and PSC made the decision to redraw our partnership. We are prioritizing the re-acquisition of our own independent charitable registration status so we can increase access to funding opportunities and resources to support the expansion of our service offerings. CMHA National continues to provide a home for PSC until we can establish ourselves as an independent organization.
PSC continues to lean into its strengths that include our internal knowledge, experience and expertise in the peer support field, our team of long-standing dedicated volunteers, our lived and living experience leadership and our strong relationships within the peer support community across Canada.
For more information about PSC and our vision for future service delivery, please review our 2022-2027 Strategic Plan.
Certification
Peer Support Canada offers certification for Peer Supporters and Family Peer Supporters. Peer Support Certification is a confirmation of one’s knowledge, skills, and experience as a peer supporter. Certification verifies one’s alignment with the nationally endorsed Standards of Practice and is recognized across Canada.
The Standards of Practice for mental health peer supporters were developed in consultation with peer supporters from across the country and endorsed by peer leaders representing interests nationwide. The national Standards of Practice consist of the knowledge, competencies, experience, and code of conduct requirements to effectively provide peer support services with due care and skill in a variety of settings.
For a complete guide to the certification program, please review our Certification Handbook.
Peer Support Canada offers the following:
- Peer Supporter Certification
- Family Peer Supporter Certification
In 2023, the PSC certification program underwent a formal review and update. The updated certification program involves an application, a written assessment, a verbal assessment, reference checks, and a self-assessment. The updated process usually takes between 2 and 3 months. For a complete guide to the certification program, please review our Certification Handbook.
You must review the following FAQ Document and create a PSC Participant Profile ahead of applying for certification.