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By Abby Zieverink

Open to community members

Addiction and Mental Health Peer Support group launching at NWP

Mar 29, 2022 | 10:16 AM

A group of individuals at Northwestern Polytechnic are in the process of launching an addiction and mental health peer support group to help people have access to support when they need it most.

The NWPSA Addiction and Mental Health Awareness and Peer Support group was launched, in an effort to help provide support for those who have struggled with addiction and mental health, are affected by those who struggle with addiction and mental health, or those who recognize there’s a need for change in the community.

Founding member and secretary-treasurer Stephanie Meen says they decided to launch the group after realizing there is a high need for peer support on campus.

“There is a difference between having peer support and coming to a room to sit and talk about your struggles around those who have experienced the same or similar situations,” she explained.

“So, we wanted to create an environment that’s welcoming for everyone and a safe place on campus they can go, or a safe group of people they can go to when they’re struggling.”

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Meen tells EverythingGP their goal is to create a judgment-free zone to help support, inspire and provide resources to help those affected by addiction and mental health.

“When you go through tough times, and you tell people, sometimes they look at you sideways because they don’t understand and it’s a very discouraging look and others will just shut down, and not talk about their struggles,” she explained.

“We are here not to judge, but to support, inspire, and have those resources available.”

Meen says they are also working as a group with the college, students association, and Grande Prairie’s Northreach Society to become Naloxone distributors.

“So that we can make Naloxone kits readily available on campus for students that need because we know they party, we know they go out, it’s inevitable and if at least one person has a kit, it could save somebody’s life.”

The peer support group will also help provide resources for external addiction and mental health supports available in the community.

“We will be compiling pamphlets and schedules and call lists so that any member of the club, any member that comes to a meeting, anybody in the hallway, they can approach us and say hey I need help with this, is there anywhere you know that can get me started?’ because a lot of people don’t know where to start.”

The group is also working alongside the mental health department on campus to help provide any additional support as needed, this includes working on the framework for what the meetings will entail.

The first peer support meeting is expected to take place September 2022.

Meen says the group is not just for students but is open for all community members.

“You can be a club member if you are a member of the community outside of campus, a faculty member, or alumni, anyone is welcome to come.”

She adds that group members and peer support attendees will be required to sign confidentiality agreements.

“We want to respect everyone’s privacy and make sure the information they share and the stories they tell don’t go any further than those who are in attendance when they are being told.”

Those looking to sign up for the NWPSA Addiction and Mental Health Awareness and Peer Support group or anyone with resources for addiction and mental health support can contact the group via email. peercontactNWPSA@gmail.com.