Family Peer Support Journey

Attending the Recovery Capital Conference in Calgary ( September 23 - September 25 2025) was insightful and a valuable learning experience. The focus was on evidence-based, whole person addiction recovery in a safe, peer-led environment.

Hearing Lived Experience stories from individuals - how they did well, then relapsed multiple times over the years, and eventually stood in front of an audience sharing their journey of recovery - was remarkable. Their stories provided deep insight into both their struggles and successes.

One prominent theme was the family peer support, which was highlighted on the banners of several organizations. I had engaging conversations with the leaders of these organizations to learn more about how they were approaching the family peer groups.

Families are now recognized as an essential part of the recovery process and are included in community strategies.

As mentioned in the Mental Healtlh Commissionn of Canada, family-based peer support has gained momentum over the last 10 years.

The Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) Guidelines for the Practice and Training of Peer Support Report states:

" Family-based peer support often takes place in groups where empathetic understanding and experiential knowledge are shared in a non-judgmental and supportive manner with others who are in similar situations."

It also states:

"The family-based peer support workers may require different preparation and/or skills to fully understand the unique needs of caregivers".

In 1995, when our family were faced with not knowing how to support our family member, we were lost. Thank you to the professor at University of Calgary who suggested calling a lady at CMHA who was familiar with our situation. She was a blessing, and our family were most grateful for her taking the time to explain what was happening. CMHA had one session where families met which, I attended. It was about each person telling their story.

Stories are important; however, what I needed was to know "how to approach" our challenges.

Our family worked through the challenges one step at a time. Eventually, through trial and error, we saw a glimpse of hope. This led me to advocate to CMHA for more sessions for families. A staff member and I were given the go-ahead to develop a six-week psycho-education for families.

I volunteered to be a contact for family members, sharing our lived experience and what we were learning.

Recognizing that family members needed more than a six-week session, peer support was suggested. CMHA offered me a contract ( 1998 - 2016) to lead the group, which grew from five people to as many as 20 people per week. Volunteers offered to help, and I am grateful for their support to this day!

The process was as follows:

• Engaging the group in a discussion about the topic of the day

• Particpants needing extra help, we asked questions for more clarification

• Volunteers wrote ideas on a sheet, which was shared with group members

• The participant received the sheet and could choose whether to use any of the ideas

• Weekly, participants provided updates

• At Christmas, we had fun with a games, food, and shared a special sheet of accolades to each person

• Laughter was definitely ringing throughout the building

Witnessing families return each week to share their sucesses, and seeing new participants benefiting from their experiences, was the highlight of the peer group.

2017, Cool Family Solutions saw a need to develop tools for individuals to practice weekly, creating a more positive impact. The 10-week sessions, each two hours long, were implemented to increase effectiveness.

In 2018, Thumbs Up Foundation offered to pilot the program and proved it was making an impact. Participants rated the program 93% successful.

2023, we partnered with Flourishing Life, which provided a stength-based questionnaire for each participant. This allowed them to receive a profile showing their dominate strengths and identify areas for growth to achieve more positive outcomes.

The other benefits of the Questionnaire include:

• Providing participants with a report comparing the pre-, mid- and post- program growth in 12 areas, showing a bigger picture of how life situations affect these areas.

• Participants also receive a Sparks Report, stating their three strengths and two areas to enhance

• Cool Family Solutions receives a report showing how the 10-week program impacts

  areas such as well-being and competencies.

In 2023 - Cool Family Solutions implemented a self-directed peer support drop-in group for those who completed the 10-week sessions, allowing them to supporting each other through life's ups and downs.

Two ladies who completed the 10-week program were trained and now help facilitate the self-directed peer support sessions. A survey was sent to those attending, and the feedback has been overwhelming positive. One participant stated:

" I have booked my time for me to attend the sessions and everyone knows not to ask me for anything in that time frame"

Recap:

#Recoginized a need

#Advocated for families

#Formed a family peer group

#Strengthened the 10-week sessions

#Implemented self-directed peer support

Have Questions?

Contact: Mona Cooley -

mona.cooley@coolfamilysolutions.com