Funded by the Nursing and Midwifery Planning Development Unit, Health Services Executive – North, the Irish Institute of Mental Health Nursing are offering a free 2-day training course on developing and facilitating peer support groups for young people in distress.

About The Course

Adolescence is a crucial time for the development of one’s personal and social identity. However, for young people who struggle with mental health issues, the social isolation, stigma and discrimination often faced can be a barrier to the peer relationships we know are so essential at this time.

Facilitated peer support groups, provide a safe space where young people can come together to share similar experiences, support one another and develop their social network. Groups support young people’s wellbeing by helping to reduce feelings of isolation, reduce self-stigma, increase hope and build the resilience needed to address challenges.

The learning is applicable to any peer support group for vulnerable young people, including ones based on shared experiences of: self-harm; eating distress; bullying/victimisation; anxiety; unusual experiences (voices, visions, beliefs); paranoia; low mood; parental separation; grief/loss; siblings.

Course Contents

This 2-day course will provide you with the understanding, skills and confidence necessary to launch, facilitate and sustain a peer support group for young people in distress. Contents include:

• Understanding youth peer support, its history and practice
• Strategies to enhance participation and involvement
• Exploring examples of a range of peer support groups, suited to different topics and settings
• Planning and promoting peer support groups in your setting (suited for different age groups & issues)
• Launching groups, and managing common initial challenges
• Navigating your role as an adult facilitator with/without lived experience
• Skills for facilitating groups at different stages of development
• Dealing with difficult issues and managing safety within a peer support group context

These workshops are open to anyone interested in developing peer support groups for young people, including: nurses, OTs, social workers, psychiatrists, peer support workers, youth workers, counsellors.

Book Your Place

To book, send completed booking form to Mark Monahan.

Email: [email protected] | Phone: 01-8962496

Download: 2017 Dublin Youth Facilitation Booking Form