Peer support is the mutual sharing, connection, and growth that happens between two people with similar personal, lived experience. For example, someone who is in recovery of an eating disorder may support someone who is currently struggling with disordered eating. Peer support specialists are professionals who have personal, lived experience that drives their work. That means when you talk to a peer support specialist, you're talking to someone who gets it because they've been there. 

Peer Support may seem a little like therapy at first glance, but it is its own specific thing. First, peer support is not a clinical intervention or treatment. While peer support specialists are professionals with extensive training and education, what makes their expertise unique is how they are trained to talk about and draw from their own lived experience in order to build relationships and help others feel hope, realize opportunities for growth, and find supportive people, services, and resources. A peer support specialist's job is to navigate life's challenges with you, instead of telling you what to do or how to do it.

There are many places and ways peer support is offered. At Space Cases, peer support is available in one on one sessions, weekly support groups, and structured learning communities. However, in Massachusetts, you'll find peer support in more formal mental health settings, like community service agencies or hospitals, or more informal places, like recovery spaces such as AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) meetings, or community youth groups.  

Below, you'll find some reasons why people work with a peer support specialist, as well as links to our favorite resources on peer support. 

While we focus on peer support for neurodiverse queer and trans youth, young adults, and adults at Space Cases, there are many types of peer support and places to connect.