What is “Peer Support”?
The role of peer support workers is very special —and very unique— in promoting and supporting the recovery process. Peer support workers are members of the staff who, in the course of their work, openly acknowledge that they currently live, or have previously lived, with a mental illness or an addiction. The purpose of using their recovery journey is to inspire hope, act as a role model and a source of motivation and inspiration, and support and help educate those living in situations similar to the ones being shared.
Many peer support workers have managed to overcome the obstacles associated with stigma and poverty. They found their way and found dignity in living their lives. Thanks to the wealth of their experience, peer support workers can share their hope and knowledge. Peer support workers can offer peers an authentic connection and a bond of trust. Their mere presence can inspire hope… and hope is the catalyst to recovery.
Peer interventions come from an entirely different culture than the one promoted by the mental healthcare network. The guiding principles of peer support are respect, shared responsibility, and mutual understanding. Peer interventions promote respectful, empathetic, trusting, and kind-hearted dynamics. They help peers reclaim their power towards achieving the changes they want to make and take charge in the pursuit of their goals.
Community Peer Support Workers
CMHA of NB’s Community Peer Support program helps people living with addiction and/or mental illness to receive emotional and practical support from someone who has their own lived experiences and is trained to support others.
Peer Support Workers help people to develop goals, create strategies for self-empowerment, and take concrete steps to build fulfilling, self-determined lives. Peer support sessions are offered as one-on-one appointments and/or group programs.
The Community Peer Support Worker program is available at no cost and you can self-refer by contacting us directly. Please note you must be 16+ to engage with this service.
Peer Support is a non-clinical service which does not replace traditional or therapeutic supports. The Community Peer Support program is not a crisis service.
For crisis support, please contact:
CHIMO Helpline (24/7): 1-800-667-5005
Free provincial addiction and mental health helpline (24/7): 1-866-355-5550
In the case of an emergency, call 9-1-1.
Community Peer Support Team Lead- Fredericton
Janice Chaput (Janice.chaput@cmhanb-acsmnb.ca)
(506) 406-8137
Community Peer Support Worker – Campbellton
Kevin Renouf (kevin.renouf@cmhanb-acsmnb.ca)
(506) 802-0474
Community Peer Support Worker – St. George
Ckhyamoj Glassford (ckhyamoj.glassford@cmhanb-acsmnb.ca)
(506) 406-6660
Virtual services may be available, contact for more information.
Peer Support Trainings and Workshops
For more information on trainings, please contact our Provincial Peer Support Contact at:
peersupport-pairaidant@cmhanb-acsmnb.ca
1-888-357-8442
Certified Peer Support Training Program
An accredited Certification Program in partnership with the Université de Moncton and their continuing education program. Developed in collaboration with the New Brunswick Department of Health, Vitalité and Horizon Health Networks to create a qualified pool of candidates for Peer Support Worker positions within the health networks.
- Offered in both official languages (English and French)
- Offered in classroom over two weeks. Learning components include ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) NVCI (Non-Violent Crisis Intervention) and Peer Support Fundamentals
- Following the two weeks of in classroom learning students are required to complete 42 hours of practicum experience in a Mental Health and Addictions clinic or Community Organization
- Students must complete a practicum internship report along with both an oral and written exam and pass to receive Certification.
First Responder’s Peer Support Training Program
This 4-day in-classroom training was explicitly designed with the needs of First Responders in mind. The course begins with Crisis Intervention Training (ASIST) followed by Peer Support fundamentals, communication skills, the 5 stages of recovery, and much more.
This course is accredited through the Université de Moncton and its continuing education program.
Campus Peer Support Training Program
This training program is designed to prepare students in post-secondary environments to become peer supporters as part of their institution’s health and well-being supports and services. Service delivery and oversight is the responsibility of the institution.
This training is currently only available in English.
Community Peer Support Workshop
This workshop is designed for community organizations and community members looking to learn fundamental concepts in peer support or offer peer support in their community voluntarily or in association with a community organization.
The workshop is four days in length, starting with two days for Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), followed by two days of peer support fundamentals including recovery, communication skills, self disclosure, group facilitation basics and self-care.
This workshop is currently only available in English.
Our Team:
Manager, Peer Support Program – Fredericton
Corey Ferguson (corey.ferguson@cmhanb-acsmnb.ca)
(506) 405-0138
Community Peer Support Team Lead- Fredericton
Janice Chaput (Janice.chaput@cmhanb-acsmnb.ca)
(506) 406-8137
Peer Support Consultant – Campbellton
Israel Parent (israel.parent@cmhanb-acsmnb.ca)
(506) 406-2695
Community Peer Support Worker – Campbellton
Kevin Renouf (kevin.renouf@cmhanb-acsmnb.ca)
(506) 802-0474
Community Peer Support Worker – St. George
Ckhyamoj Glassford (ckhyamoj.glassford@cmhanb-acsmnb.ca)
(506) 406-6660
Administrative Assistant – Campbellton
Caroline Bernier (caroline.bernier@cmhanb-acsmnb.ca)
(506) 800-1647