1. Ask what’s going on with your peer. Give them your full attention as you listen to their response.
2. Let your peer know you are listening by reflecting back to them your understanding of what they are saying, but let them do most of the talking.
3. Express empathy for what they are going through. Empathy does not mean you agree with them. It means you care that they are upset or suffering.
4. Maintain boundaries. Being a peer support is like being a cross between a friend and a mentor, not their clinician.
5. Try to help your peer discover their own solutions first, but offer the benefit of your experience, after asking if they want to hear it, and describe resources you found useful.

Read More: Why Peer Support? (Lift blog, April 28, 2021)