Volunteers are only required to disclose about a meeting if a) the volunteer requires a debrief session with a fellow team member or the coordinator (no unnecessary details will be disclosed) or b) the volunteer believes there is an imminent risk to yourself or others. Please note that our peer support volunteers will not engage in any situation that puts them at risk, or compromises their own anonymity/confidentiality. We will do our best to make any possible accommodations to make peer support safe for you, including, but not limited to, choosing to meet in private rooms far away from the PCC, meeting in the evening when fewer people are around campus, or any other suggestions you might have. Additionally, everything you discuss during a peer support meeting will be held in the strictest confidence and no written or electronic records will be kept about the meeting(s). You are welcome to set up a time to meet with a peer support volunteer using a non-McMaster e-mail and/or using a pseudonym. In arranging and participating in a peer support meeting, we will make every effort to maintain your confidentiality. To schedule a time to meet with a peer support volunteer, or if you have any questions or concerns, contact us at: Click here to access the PCC’s anonymous peer support request form. Like all aspects of peer support programming, the frequency of sessions will be directed by the community members seeking peer support. While some community members may feel they would benefit from weekly or monthly peer support sessions, others may choose to attend peer support only once, or irregularly, as desired. Peer support will be offered on a regular or occasional basis, depending on how often you’d like to attend and the availability of the volunteers. You can reach out to chat with one of our volunteers Monday-Friday from 12-3pm and 6-9pm. The PCC is happy to offer a Peer Support Warm-line (for non-crisis support) offered via tawk.to.
The knowledge our volunteers have gained by living as members of 2STLGBQIA+ communities can be instrumental in supporting other 2STLGBQIA+ folks. Peer support is a form of support in which the person providing peer support has had similar life experiences to the person seeking peer support.