Peer Connections
Do you experience challenges with your mental health?
Peer Connections is a free peer mentoring service that offers support to people aged 18+ living in Somerset with a diagnosed or undiagnosed Serious Mental Illness (SMI) — Schizophrenia, Psychosis, Bipolar or a Personality Disorder.
You might not have had this type of support before, but it can make a big difference
Our peer volunteer team have had their own challenges with mental health and found coping strategies and skills that worked for them. They will have a good understanding of your experiences, feelings and thoughts.
How it works
- We will arrange an introduction between you and one of our peer mentor volunteers. This will be a mentor with who can relate to your experiences, and may have experienced something similar.
- Once you and your mentor have been introduced, we will arrange a time that works for you both so your mentoring conversations can begin.
- Mentoring can take place on the phone, online, or face-to-face. You will be offered at least six conversations.
- We welcome referrals through Open Mental Health locality teams, partner organisations, including Mindline 24/7, and any health professional or organisation you are in contact with.
- All of our peer mentors are volunteers who want to help people in the same position as them.
- We are not currently recruiting further Peer Mentor volunteers but are committed to maintaining a team of ten and will start recruitment again when necessary.
The Benefits of Peer Mentoring
- Increased understanding or insight into mental health issues
- Improved coping strategies
- Increased confidence and self-esteem
- An increase in optimisim and hopefulness
- An increased understanding and/or new perspective on owning a wellbeing journey
Learn more
If you would more information, please contact Sue Hunter susan.hunter@rethink.org or Alexander Nelson alexander.nelson@rethink.org
For more detailed information about these services, please visit our SMI Community & Outreach service or Annual Physical Health Checks pages.
I enjoy speaking to my mentor and there are not many services or people that I feel comfortable having these sorts of conversations with; it has been a real help.