StFX Peer Support Program to Launch on January 6th

Illustration by Emma Kuzmyk

Hello Xaverians!

I am excited to be writing to you today not as your Editor-in-Chief, but as one of the Program Coordinators for the new StFX Peer Support Program. It’s been a long road to get here—but we are so, so excited to finally be opening our doors to the StFX community!

Monday, January 6, 2020, in Bloomfield 417, and every Monday to Friday after that, StFX students will be able to access in-person active listening and resource navigation services offered by students, for students. The StFX Peer Support Program exists to provide non-judgmental support to all students regardless of gender, race, or other socioeconomic factors. The services we provide are holistic and aimed towards those struggling with mental health or sexualized violence. All services are survivor centric, feminist, inclusive, anti-oppressive, and born of a desire to make seeking support a less intimidating process. Peer Support is not meant to replace professional mental health services or counselling, but rather to enhance and support what mental health and sexualized violence supports already exist.

We’ve been working with a team of student volunteers, faculty supports, and community partners for the past year and a half, and we think we’ve created something pretty great! We have tea, cookies, comfy chairs, conversation, and an abundance of information that we can’t wait to share with you!

 The StFX Peer Support Program will open on January 6 in Bloomfield 417, and will exist as a service under the StFX Students’ Union, providing empathetic listening and resource navigation services through a team of trained student volunteers. Services will be drop-in only from 12pm to 5pm on weekdays.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Sincerely,
Addy Strickland (StFX PSP Program Coordinator)

Anyone looking to get in touch with the Peer Support Program can email peersupportprogram@stfx.ca, or follow StFX Peer Support Program on Facebook.