Local ‘peer supporters’ explained the help they can offer people facing mental health issues as they promoted their services on a music and dance filled Atlantic Road. Karen Hooper reports
Peer supporters from Brixton-based Solidarity in a Crisis (SiaC, part of the adult social care provider Certitude) took to Atlantic Road’s car-free day festival to share how their lived experience is supporting others facing mental health issues.
A peer supporter uses their own lived experience of a particular challenge to offer support to someone going through a similar problem.
“It was a great opportunity to interact with the public and we received a warm reception,” says Hanish Gajjar, SiaC’s peer lead, of this the second in a series of monthly Saturday events (which will run until December) organised by Lambeth council’s Big Shift programme in collaboration with Brixton Business Improvement District (BID) and local traders.
The latest, celebrating the local Latin community, had to be pared down following a serious fire in the area the week before. But that did not stop the party atmosphere as traditional street dancers and a choreographer encouraged people to dance along to a vibrant drumming backdrop.
“Despite innovative and ongoing publicity over the years: “Nobody we spoke to had heard about our service and seemed surprised, but were interested once they understood the gist of what we offer,” said Hanish.
The out-of-hours peer support service, co-designed and co-delivered by people with lived experience, including carers, also covers Lewisham and Southwark and provides crisis support over the phone (with opportunities to meet in the community) – 0300 1231922
Monday to Friday – 6pm to midnight
Saturday and Sunday – 12 noon to midnight.
Over the past few months, “we received 94 calls in April, May 97, and in June 134 calls,” Hanish said.
SiaC was borne in 2012 as part of Lambeth’s flagship Living Well Collaborative (which shaped the Lambeth Living Well Network Alliance) aiming to take the “mental” out of mental health, addressing issues in the community before people reach crisis point.
The lived experience of the peer supporters turns their mental health into a quality, creating hope for others as they walk by their side.
The event gave three peer supporters the chance to listen to people’s concerns, which included anxiety around housing, worries about the future, concerns about the NHS and local healthcare / lack of timely care … and people found the option to speak to someone in a less medical setting comforting.
One peer supporter reports speaking to several people who had experienced depression, suicidal ideation and had made attempts on their lives … “talking to the community seemed to bring hope that there is a service where they can connect and gain emotional support through periods of distress”.
Going out into the community was beneficial for “those who had no clue that there is a service where they can get support, be heard and listened to in a compassionate and engaging way… whilst talking to them I could see that they feel alone and just wanted to express what they were feeling … The lived experience of the peer supporter helped them feel safe to express, they left these moments feeling uplifted and hopeful.”
Another peer supporter says: “During my conversations, it became clear that many individuals are struggling with a wide range of social issues that significantly impact their mental health.
“The people I spoke with came from diverse backgrounds, but a common theme emerged: there is still a great deal of stigma and misunderstanding surrounding mental health challenges.
“Many shared experiences of uncertainty, fear, anxiety, depression, injustice, and unfair treatment – both from society and within other mental health organisations. These issues continue to be major triggers for mental health crises.
“Despite this, the response to our outreach was overwhelmingly positive … and many thanked us for being there and helping to break the silence around mental health.”
