TEXT-BASED SUPPORT
PEER SUPPORT’S TEXT-BASED SUPPORT
Not comfortable coming in or a distance student? Same support, different medium. Peer Support’s text-based support is run by the same volunteers that offer in-person sessions, only online. Please know that a full online session can take up to 90 minutes versus our 60 minutes with in-person. This is due to the nature of text-based medium and the time it takes to type.
HOURS OF OPERATION
MONDAY – FRIDAY: 9 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.
** Chat availability is dependent on volunteers. If our chat is unavailable during open hours our volunteers may be busy with an in-person client.
For those that need assistance outside of Peer Support hours please consider contacting one of the following:
• If it is an emergency and/or life is at risk, please 911
• The CMHA Distress Line | 780-482-4357 (available to provide confidential, non-judgemental and short-term crisis intervention, emotional support and/or resource to those is crisis or distress.)
VOLUNTEERS
Peer Support volunteers are not professional counselors. They are highly trained with over 50+ hours of supportive listening and risk management training.
CONFIDENTIALITY
Every conversation that is had with a Peer Support volunteer is con dential. Which means that we do not log or keep any of the transcripts of chats. We also do not track personal information or your IP address.
RESOURCES
Not ready to chat? That’s okay! We will be here when you are. Check out some resources instead.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT PEER SUPPORT
WHAT IS PEER SUPPORT?
Peer Support provides a confidential space for students to talk about what is going on for them in a safe environment with highly trained student volunteers. We also provide a wide range of resources to connect students to supports within SAMU, MacEwan, and the surrounding community whether browsing them online or visit us in-person.
WHO IS PEER SUPPORT FOR?
We provide support to all current MacEwan students who need someone to talk to about what’s going on for them.Common topics include: academic stress, relationship concerns, suicidal thoughts, mental health concerns, abusive or unhealthy situations, loss of something or someone important, and anything else you want to chat about.
WHAT DOES PEER SUPPORT COST?
Peer Support is completely free.
WHERE CAN I FIND PEER SUPPORT?
Peer Support is in the SAMU building in Room SA-223. This room can be found down a hallway next to the vending machines on the second floor.
WHAT IS THE SUPPORT HUB?
The Support Hub (SA-223) is the home of Peer Support and is the place where you will go if would like to speak to a Peer Support Volunteer or browse through our library of resources. The Support Hub also is where students go to retreive Pantry Hampers or receive assistance in getting connected to the Pantry.
HOW LONG IS A SESSION?
The average length of a Peer Support session is 60 minutes but this can vary depending on the person and the situation.
IS PEER SUPPORT CONFIDENTIAL?
Peer Support is completely confidential and we will never collect any personal identification information from you.
IS THE LIVE CHAT A REAL PERSON?
Yes! We have highly trained Peer Support volunteers ready to chat with you during our regular hours of operation.
IS PEER SUPPORT OPEN ALL YEAR?
Yes! Peer Support stays open all year! The only thing that changes is the hours of operation. During the fall and winter semesters, Peer Support is open from 9 AM – 4:30 PM. During the spring and summer semesters, Peer Support is open from 11 AM -3 PM.
**All information on this page tries to be as accurate as possible, unfortunately, all sessions are dependent on volunteer availability. If the Support Hub is closed during open hours and you are in need of a session please visit the SAMU front desk at SA-301 and ask for the Peer Support Assistant or the Services Manager for a Peer Support session.