PEER SUPPORT GROUPS
Peer support groups (PSGs) serve as a space to connect with other disabled UVic students with similar lived experiences. At the SSD, we provide PSGs for various different disabilities throughout the academic year, which are led by trained Peer-Support Facilitators with lived experience. Our PSGs are hybrid, meaning that we blend in-person and online attendees in the same space, allowing for both on- and off-campus participation!
Please note that Peer-Support Facilitators are not licensed professionals! They are student volunteers (or SSD staff, in some cases) that are provided with training on group facilitation. Peer-Support Facilitators can provide advice from their own lived experience and relevant on/off-campus resources, but they cannot make referrals, diagnose, or provide medical/psychological advice.
PSGs are drop-in and do not require registration, but there are mailing lists available for those who wish to receive email reminders and updates! Scroll down on this webpage to learn more about the PSGs that are currently being offered, their dates and times, locations, Zoom links, mailing lists, and more!
PSGs are offered on a semesterly basis, based on interest from the community and facilitator availability, with past groups including Autism, ADHD, chronic pain, and general disability. If you are interested in becoming a peer-support group facilitator, fill out the interest form (coming soon)!
CURRENT PEER SUPPORT GROUPS
Updated semesterly!
Contact: edussd@uvic.ca
Dates:
June 16th and 30th; July 8th and 28th*; August 11th and 25th
*July 28th in-person location TBD due to SUB B028 being unavailable that day.
Summer Autism PSG
Summer time can be a difficult time for Autistic people, due to changes in routine, hot weather, and other social stressors. Whether you’re in summer classes on campus, or have gone home for the summer, it can be difficult to find community at this time of year. This summer, the SSD is offering a summer-time Autism Peer Support Group (PSG), for anyone who self-identifies as Autistic (no diagnosis required!) to come chill, meet other Autistic people, seek advice, or just chat!
Summer Autism PSGs will run every second Tuesday starting June 16th until August 25th, at 1:00pm-2:30pm, and will be hybrid: you can join us either in-person (Student Union Building B028) or online via Zoom!
Sign-up for the mailing list below (click the button) to receive reminders and updates about our Autism PSGs!
Please note that PSGs are not led by licensed professionals, rather a volunteer/staff peer-facilitator with lived experience who is there to engage the group in meaningful, and safe, discussions. Peer-facilitators can provide advice from their own lived experience and relevant on/off-campus resources, but they cannot make referrals, diagnose, or provide medical/psychological advice.
