PeerSupport@depressionServices 

The Peer Support Services are environments where you can learn new skills and receive support from others impacted by depression to better manage your own depression or to support others in your life.  Peer Support also relies on each client’s ability to support others through the challenges of living with depression by sharing experiences honestly.  Using online technologies, the service allows clients to engage with people from all around Australia, regardless of geographical location.

The foundation of peer support is your experiences and having the opportunity to share with others your challenges and achievements in the journey with depression. You choose when you want to access the service and the level of involvement.  There is a trained facilitator who is in the service at all times and who may contribute to discussions from time to time. 

The Peer Support Service currently offers two programs which aim to address particular aspects of your life that may be impacted by depression:

iLiveWell has a focus to support you with your daily experiences of depression.  Here you will be able to discuss the general impact of depression on your life.

iWorkWell has a focus on providing you with support for your experiences of depression in the workplace. Here you will be able to discuss the impact of depression on your work life. 

Clients can discuss what having depression means for them and its impact on relationships, work, motivation, physical impacts, and other areas of their daily lives.  All clients in the Peer Support Service are anonymous to one another, further promoting a safe and non-judgemental environment.  Within the service clients are encouraged to share their experiences and opinions while not providing ‘professional’ advice or knowledge.
 
The Peer Support Services have been designed to provide an adjunct to professional services – so we encourage you access a psychologist/counsellor/GP in addition to using this service.  Our website www.depressionservices.org.au offers a list of ‘Depression Friendly Professionals’ as well as links to search databases for different types of professional support.