01 Who can attend?
Anyone can attend as long as you are 18+.
02 What time are the gatherings?
We will be hosting two standing weekly gatherings. You can attend one or both. You are always welcome to join us as frequently as you would like. The gathering links will be the same for each meeting. Meetings are held in the Eastern Time Zone.
Wednesdays: 9-10:30 pm ET
Sundays: 1-2:30 pm ET
03 What is a peer gathering?
Peer support groups are facilitated by trained peer support specialists, also known as peer supporters or facilitators. These are individuals with lived experience navigating mental health struggles who are trained to hold space for others from a place of mutuality that does not aim to fix, analyze, or pathologize individuals. Peer support is rooted in the belief that different things work for different people and encourages individuals to find what works for them while meeting them where they are. Where needed, a peer or other group members can share what has worked for them or what they have heard has been supportive for others. Peer specialists can be helpful in resource navigation or co-learning because they have “been there” themselves.
In a group setting, peer facilitators can help balance individual and collective needs by gently reminding group members of communally agreed-upon rules. In this space, we call this our “comfort agreement.” You can review ours here.
04 Do I have to share to attend?
Nope! There is never any pressure to share. You are more than welcome to just feel it out your first few times, or never share at all, and simply hold space with us. You do not have to share directly, and you also do not need to respond to what others may share—just listening to one another and being there together shows we care about what each person is navigating. We encourage you to meet your needs, whether that be using the chat to communicate, having your camera off, bringing comfort items, or doing an activity while we spend our time together.
05 What is a comfort agreement?
In true communal fashion, our comfort agreement is a set of collectively agreed-upon guidelines that can be edited and added to based on the needs of a particular group of individual members on a certain day (our needs can ebb and flow!). This will be reviewed at the start of each meeting, and space will be given to see if there is anything we want to add for the day. By joining in, we agree to adhere to the space’s comfort agreement.
06 What can I expect at these peer gatherings?
Peer gatherings can look different depending on the peer facilitator or those in the space. Typically, you can expect:
- A short introduction that may include giving space for those who want to share things such as their name, pronouns, and either how they are joining the space on a 1-10 scale or a silly question.
- Review of the Comfort Agreement, as well as space for questions or adding to our needs for the day.
- Seeing who wants to share and adding their names to a virtual “wheel” to decide the order of shares. If the wheel lands on you, you can go ahead and take time sharing, or say “pass for now” and let others share first until the wheel lands on you again. You are allowed to change your mind and ask to be added to or taken off our wheel.
- Taking turns sharing. This can be anything from a win, something you are struggling with, something you are excited for, a show-and-tell of a recent art project—really, whatever you want. The floor is yours! After sharing, you can let us know how we can best support you.
07 What is the cost to attend?
Nothing! This is a free resource.
08 How long are these meetings?
Our groups are 1 hour to 1.5 hours long. After everybody who wants to share gets the chance to, a group may end early.
09 Do I need to arrive on time?
We understand that life happens. While joining together to the best of our ability can be helpful, you are welcome to join and leave as needed. We ask that if you are not on time, however, that you allow those who joined on time to be centered in getting an opportunity to share. If you join in the middle of somebody’s share, please do not ask them to repeat themselves.
10 Can I invite a friend to join the gatherings?
11 I have additional questions. Who do I contact?
As a collaborative effort between To Write Love on Her Arms and Peer Support Space, all questions or accessibility needs can be directed to Mary (she/her) at [email protected].
