2024 Peer Support Learning Cohort

I am incredibly grateful to SQSH for providing a safe space to ask myself hard questions and sit with discomfort in a variety of ways about a variety of challenging topics. I feel that learning to tolerate and work through discomfort is a really important skill, both for my personal life and relationships, and for my ability to listen with mutual vulnerability, and advocate for other members of the community.

– Reed (they/them)

We cover a lot of material in our trainings, but I don’t feel overwhelmed. Luka and Avi break everything down and we’re able to practice all the skills we learn about. The trainers are very supportive and give very detailed and helpful feedback in a way that feels encouraging.

– Kiwi (they/them)

SQSH is amazing. They really care about the people within the organization as well as the people calling on the peer support line.

– Caitie (she/they)

I just absolutely loved the drawing part of today's training, I felt content and at ease. It was also so fun to see what the other trainees had drawn and listen to them interpret their art!

– 2023 Peer Counselor

As a Black person, conversations around race can often be frustrating and feel performative. SQSH staff made sure that I was comfortable before and during the lesson, while also allowing for an engaging discussion.

– Kiwi (they/them)

While I was expecting to feel anxious about interacting with so many new people and ideas, I felt welcomed, included in the conversation, and comfortable sharing space with the trainers and other participants. I left feeling encouraged and much less anxious about the rest of training.

– Reed (they/them)

Coming into my first training, I knew very little about peer counseling and the skills required. Having a well structured curriculum to learn these tools has been very beneficial to me, and I am excited to continue to learn and improve as training progresses.

– 2022 Peer Counselor

Training with SQSH so far has been very refreshing. In comparison to other training programs I have gone to, SQSH is really doing the work to create a sincere, joyful, and safe environment to train in. Inclusivity isn't just something said at the beginning of the training in opening remarks, it is built from within the community that is gathered and built into the structure of training sessions.

– 2022 Peer Counselor

I really enjoyed exploring my own gender and reflecting on myself during this training. It is not often that I dedicate time specific to doing this, so I thought this was a very great introspective experience.

– 2022 Peer Counselor

What stood out to me about this training session was just how much the facilitators cared about everyone's mental well being and actually having a fruitful discussion rather than just steam rolling ahead on content. I was really impressed by that.

– 2022 Peer Counselor

Helpline training has taught me countless new ways to provide support and compassion for people in my life in a sustainable, healthy way. For every tool I received to show up for others, I received a tool to show up for myself. I notice Helpline skills pop up in my day-to-day life constantly and am so proud of the support system I've seen myself grow into this summer. The growth, reflection, and communal healing of the training space was invaluable.

– 2022 Peer Counselor

This training program is one of the best training I have ever attended! The trainers are very patient, kind, and understanding. They always put our wellness first and try to make everyone feel comfortable in this training space. They also provide many resources and assistance for different needs. That's really incredible! Really appreciate your effort and hard work!!! <3

– 2022 Peer Counselor

This has been a lovely experience overall. There's so much compassion and critical discussion put into this training, which creates an overall atmosphere of respect that I don't think I've observed anywhere else. Everyone is very passionate about what they're doing, which makes for a very engaging and connecting experience. I'll miss this cohort :')

– 2022 Peer Counselor

“[My peer counselor] confirmed her level of understanding with supporting people such as me. She validated me, heard me, probed at the right time with the right questions and appropriately challenged me by being reflective. Additionally, reaffirmed that my past doesn't define me and agreed when I communicated my need to get mental health assistance from a professional for previous childhood trauma and the baggage in which I have.”

“[I most appreciated the] clear & direct affirmation that I've been through a lot and the things that I have done to move forward in my life are significant steps. The people I spoke with validated my feelings & also pointed out when I may be supported more than I may realize, and that really helped my mental health.

I also really appreciated how SQSH took my fears about long COVID seriously while not making me more afraid.

The fact that you call people back if you don't get to them that day is just fantastic, it shows a really high level of care that many spaces don't have.”

“I truly appreciated having the space and time to speak freely. I did not feel rushed, and I felt like I was being heard. I also appreciated the emphasis on self-care and connecting to local resources.”

“As a QTPOC (queer/trans person of color), even when I’m seeking support, I constantly expect to have to educate and challenge people’s assumptions in order for my feelings to make sense to them and for me to feel validated. During this call, I didn’t have to explain the way I usually do.”

“I found it really helpful to hear my peer counselor’s validation from a place of personal experience. To hear them tap into experiences of their own marginalization that parallel my own story.”

“I’ve been having a really hard time recently. I needed to be able to talk to someone about everything going on without fear of judgment. I felt like I could do that with SQSH.”

“I felt understood and cared for… which I don’t often feel. I didn’t expect to feel this much better, but I’m feeling more hopeful and less alone.”

“Even though I’m usually uncomfortable with talking on the phone, my peer counselor kept the conversation going and made me feel really comfortable. I had a great first experience and feel more comfortable with calling SQSH in the future.”

“When I shared about everything, I received consistent validation, which was something I really needed to hear today. I really appreciated how my peer counselor remembered the things I said and provided helpful responses that made things feel better.”