Peer
Support
STUDENTS SUPPORTING STUDENTS
Student peers provide a confidential space for other students to talk about what is going on for them in a safe environment. We also provide a wide range of resources to connect students to supports within SAMU, MacEwan, and the surrounding community.
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 call 911
- The CMHA Distress Line | 780-482-4357 (available to provide confidential, non-judgmental and short-term crisis intervention, emotional support and/or resource to those is crisis or distress.)
IN-PERSON SESSIONS
WALK-IN SESSIONS
Monday-Friday: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
BY APPOINTMENT SESSIONS
Currently unavailable
Visit us at the Support Hub (SA-223) in the SAMU Building!
TEXT-BASED SUPPORT
Not comfortable coming in or a
distance student? Same support,
different medium.
Chat online with a volunteer today!
HOURS OF OPERATION
Monday-Friday: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.*
*depending on volunteer availability
RESOURCES
Not ready to chat? That’s okay! We will be here when you are.
Check out some resources instead by visiting the Support Hub or checking out the link below.
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.
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 is intended 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, the Services Manager, or the Services Coordinator for a Peer Support session.
If you have any questions about Peer Support that were not answered on this page, please email the Peer Support Assistant: sapeersupport@macewan.ca
(Please note: this email address is not our confidential support line. For a text-based session, please click the “Chat Now” link above.)