Staff and Volunteers

Peer Support Service Staff and Volunteers
Peer Support at depressionServices are managed and facilitated by qualified human service staff and trained volunteers who constantly aim to provide a high level of service to all clients.

Peer Support Staff
With extensive experiences within the human services sector, the Peer Support Staff are qualified in areas such as psychology and counselling, particularly in the delivery of a peer support environment utilising online technologies.  Peer Support Staff are also involved in providing additional support to clients where required, as well as employing evidence-based, best practice principles to the delivery of the service.  The staff are always looking at ways to develop, coordinate and evaluate the operation and functioning of the service for continuous improvement.

Peer Support Staff regularly review all communication within the Service to ensure the Peer Support Service meets Duty of Care responsibilities and upholds the Terms and Conditions integrated into the Service.  All issues relating to clients of the Peer Support Service are discussed at regular meetings involving all Professional Services Staff including Peer Support and Counselling Service Staff; utilising collective intelligence to enhance individual client’s experiences and to ensure the best possible outcome for all our clients.

Peer Support Volunteers
Our dedicated volunteer group consists of community members who have an interest in the human services field and have made a commitment to supporting people impacted by depression.  All volunteers are inducted into depressioNet (including depressionServices.org.au) and undertake a training program to learn how to facilitate and moderate healthy communication between peers and provide additional support to clients where necessary.

The role of the Peer Support Volunteers involves encouraging clients to discuss experiences while giving and receiving support from one another.  Volunteers also review all Forum messages to meet the Terms and Conditions for using the service and at the same time identify clients who may benefit from additional support – often in the form of alternative resources.   Where Staff generally work standard business hours, the Volunteers give up their time, ‘around the clock’, to provide our clients with safe and supportive Discussion Rooms and Forums where they can seek and provide peer support for depression.