General

A key concept for trainers to understand is that recovery is unique to the individual,  phases of recovery, coping, spirituality, and the recovery process. Ask trainers whether they understand these concepts from both the peer visitor training manuals ( in-person and remote). Trainers should be able to explain these topics to learners who are seeking to become peer visitors in the future. Refer to the in-person and remote manuals.

In-person

WHAT IS RECOVERY?

There are quite a few key concepts to cover in this section of the chat. Review the learner’s comfort with the content in the confidence that they would be able to answer questions when teaching future peer visitors.  This is followed by a reflective exercise about the future of peer visitors’ experience of barriers during recovery.  At this stage, learners should be pretty comfortable with how to run a facilitated discussion, but you can review this if necessary and also ask one of the learners to practice leading this discussion.

PHASES OF RECOVERY

Key concepts to cover in the section are outlined in the box near the bottom of thIS page of the trainers’ manual. Ensure that the peer visitor trainer learners are comfortable with teaching the concepts and able to answer questions about them.  This section also includes a discussion question about the experience of the peer visitor learners’ recovery stages. If there is time, and people have not had the opportunity to practice leading a facilitated conversation, you might ask one of the members of the group to practice leading this one.

COPING

Key concepts to cover in the section are outlined in the box near the bottom of this page of the trainers’ manual. Ensure that the peer visitor trainer learners are comfortable with teaching the concepts and able to answer questions about them.

SPIRITUALITY AND THE RECOVERY PROCESS

Key concepts to cover in the section are outlined in the box near the bottom of this page of the trainers’ manual. Ensure that the peer visitor trainer learners are comfortable with teaching the concepts and able to answer questions about them. Is making a good time to talk about the challenges of teaching topics that can be sensitive and how important it is not to impose one’s belief or biases in the teaching.

Remote 

What is Recovery and Phases of Recovery?

• Ask trainers how they will be presenting this content to learners. Allow discussion among trainers and give guidance for more engaging ways to do so. For example, using images or a video.
• A group discussion is a great way to encourage peer learning. Encourage trainers to share their perspectives and experiences about their recovery. Feel free to start by talking about your own experience as this can promote trainers to be comfortable and share. Allow trainers to discuss the question presented as this promotes peer learning from each other. Peer learning enhances understanding and builds a sense of community among trainers.
• Trainers should be prepared for learners to engage with the group discussion and true or false activity if asking does not yield participation. Question strategies, taking the lead with shared experience, and encouraging participation although it may be uncomfortable, are some ways to do this.

Coping and Spirituality and the Recovery Process

• Engage trainers in discussions and scenarios related to recovery peer support. Present them with realistic scenarios and ask them to apply their knowledge to analyze, problem-solve, and make decisions.