Great success for 1737 with Peer Support Mental Health Helpline

Addition to phone and text support from counsellors on offer 24/7

1737 is part of the National Telehealth Service. CEO Andrew Slater says the 1737 Peer Support service was introduced to meet a need following the impact of COVID-19 on peoples’ lives.

“We are seeing people from all walks of life and of all ages experiencing – some for the first time – issues such as economic and employment distress, anxiety around the uncertainties of the changing COVID environment, alcohol and other drugs issues and relationship challenges.”

“Peer support – talking to someone who has ‘been there’ – is another way of making sure we have care available for everyone, for issues that may be causing them concern,” says Mr Slater.

“To provide this service we have teamed up with Mind & Body Consultants, a peer led organisation that draws on the rich experience that comes from people bringing their own lived experience and expertise to a role that supports others to make sense of experiences of distress and hardship.”

Magdel Hammond, National Manager, of Mind & Body explains – “Mind & Body adopted Intentional Peer Support, a powerful relational framework that encourages us to make sense of the challenges and experiences life poses and see difficult situations as opportunities for growth and learning.”

A trained peer support worker, who can normalise experience of distress and when appropriate, share what helped them, or suggest actions that might help, can in turn help the person experiencing distress to make sense of their own situation and make changes that help them recover. Support provided by someone who has ‘walked in your shoes’ has a powerful impact and many people find this to be an influential factor in their recovery.

The new service has been of benefit to people who have mainly experienced wellness in their lives, but who now confront a changed reality due to the impact of COVID-19; and to those who have experienced ongoing mental health challenges.

Peer support workers can help people navigate through challenging life situations, which can cause a loss of confidence, or bring about feelings of shame. Having these feelings normalised, and being supported, is for many people a very healing experience.

The service is proving popular, with 42% of 1737 callers (in the hours open) electing to speak to a peer support worker since the launch in August.

Want to know more? Contact Magdel Magdel.Hammond@mindandbody.co.nz