Peer Support Program

The MSA Peer Support Program offers the opportunity to talk to a fellow medical student who provides confidential one-on-one support. The program aims to bridge the gap between the first realization that students need support to reaching out to professional services through informal peer meetings. It also aims to create a community where students feel safe to share and can get connected with appropriate community resources. All medical student volunteers involved with the program have expressed a genuine desire to foster a safe, supportive learning environment and improve the medical school experience for their peers. They have been trained in supportive listening, topics such as suicide, interpersonal, and addictions, and providing referrals to community resources.

Book Here!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe7i4n6PKPnJmkxJGKlnoMoG69FJSiHaTw2GYd52ZsS3RzEAA/viewform?usp=sf_link

How to Book a Peer Support Appointment:

Students wanting to schedule an appointment will visit the link above, and fill out the form. An email will be sent to the peer support coordinators (Jasmin, Kass, Bryton) and we will connect the student with their peer support volunteer. They can then communicate and decide on a location to meet during the appointment time. You can also use the peer support email to get in contact with the program. msapsp@ualberta.ca

What does a Peer Support Appointment Look Like:

• You will receive an email from your volunteer introducing themselves and asking where you would like to meet.

• A meeting with a volunteer to discuss whatever brings you to peer support - this can look like a walk around campus, a chat over coffee, a zoom call, or a private room on campus - whatever you decide is the most comfortable. 

• It can be big things or small things, we're here to talk about it all. Meetings will be one hour long. If you need more time, please book another session. 

What kinds of things can I book a Peer Support appointment for?

Anything! We have volunteers from 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year as well as a 1st year resident eager to chat and help you work through anything that is bothering you. Some examples include:

• Career Counselling

• Relationship Issues

• Academic Support

• Mistreatment

• Family Stressors

• Loneliness

• Thoughts of Suicide

• Things to do in Edmonton

• And so much more!

Anything and everything is ok to bring to peer support!

Can I volunteer with Peer Support? 

Yes! There will be another intake of volunteers for peer support coming in the new year, please feel free to express interest here. 

Other questions? Email us! msapsp@ualberta.ca

FAQ

How do I cancel an appointment? 

• Reach out to msapsp@ualberta.ca to let us know you can't make it - this won't affect your ability to reach out in the future. 

Who are the volunteers?

• Medical students and residents from the University of Alberta who have demonstrated a genuine desire to make med school life more bearable for their peers. 

• Members of the C2025, C2024, and C2023

• Residents

Can I request to speak to (or not speak to) a specific volunteer?

• Yes, however we cannot guarantee the person you request will be available at your requested time

• We understand that reaching out to your peers can be scary. We give you the option to request a member from a specific class (or a resident). You can also request to not be paired with someone (given that you might be friends or colleagues and wanting to talk to a stranger instead.) 

• Only we (Kass, Bryton, Jasmin) see and deal with requests. 

What kind of training do the volunteers have?

• Training in supportive listening, community resources, and topics like suicide, interpersonal violence and addictions

• Nothing you share at peer support will be repeated outside of the meeting unless the volunteer is concerned about your safety. Sharing your information is always a last resort. In those cases, the peer volunteer and the peer support coordinators will work collaboratively with you to ensure you get the help you deserve, in the way that you would like to access it.