Doing Peer Support Right: Essential Resources for Best Practices
Ensure your peer support practice aligns with key principles and best practices. This page provides essential resources on peer support values, ethical guidelines, and effective approaches to creating peer support services that are aligned with the National Standards of Practice for Peer Support.
Peer Support Canada Resources
These resources have been developed by Peer Support Canada in collaboration with peer supporters and peer support leaders across the country to support best practices in peer support and alignment with the National Standards of Practice for Peer Support.
These core values reflect the main pillars of peer support and are a required standard for Peer Support Canada certification. Developed with peer support leaders nationwide, they align with the MHCC Guidelines for the Practice and Training of Peer Support.
Peer support workers are expected to demonstrate skills and abilities that are representative of these key competencies. An ability to demonstrate these required competencies make up one of the required standards of practice for peer support certification with Peer Support Canada.
The certification handbook outlines the National Standards of Practice for Peer Support, and provides an overview of the Peer Support Canada National Peer Support Certification Program. To learn more about certification click here.
The Peer Support Canada Code of Conduct outlines the ethical and professional standards that peer supporters must follow to ensure safe, respectful, and effective support. By adhering to this code, peer supporters can create a trustworthy and supportive environment for those seeking support.
This brief shares insights from a national discussion on peer support and Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD), highlighting the unique role peer supporters play in end-of-life conversations. It calls for greater recognition, education, and support for peers engaging in this sensitive and essential work.
This toolkit provides guidance, reflection prompts, and celebration ideas for marking Global Peer Support Celebration Day and uplifting peer support year-round. It highlights the values at the heart of peer support and offers practical ways for individuals and organizations to recognize, invest in, and strengthen peer roles.
External Resources
These resources have been developed by organizations external to Peer Support Canada, with contributions from PSC staff.
Developed by peer supporters across Canada, these guidelines serve as the basis for Peer Support Certification. This document outlines the core values, principles of practice, and skills and acquired abilities for peer supporters.
MHCC: Guidelines for the Practice and Training of Peer Support
Peer support workers are expected to demonstrate skills and abilities that are representative of these key competencies. An ability to demonstrate these required competencies make up one of the required standards of practice for peer support certification with Peer Support Canada.
CMHA National, in collaboration with Peer Support Canada has co-created four fact sheets to help folks understand the value and power of peer support. These fact sheets include: