Am I alone

The below noted is for the purpose of creating a dialogue internally within ourselves or during a support group meeting.

AM I ALONE?

How often have I felt that even with family and friends around me, a part of me isn’t there? It’s a distant feeling and yet for the most part it is one that is never far away. Since each one of us is different this can seem a minor irritation or one that presents a struggle to maintain balance.

In the context of Peer Support, everyone has a shared experience that bridges occupations where Occupational Stress Injury is a factor. Whether a person comes from a military background or in the field of being a first responder. We are all equals. The experiences are different but the impact is the same. Many times not only is the support in listening but in sharing of experiences in a positive way.

The Peer Support concept is based on support. To initiate Recovery we need to be able to control our comfort zones and move forward at our own pace.

“Am I alone” begs the question “Do I need to feel alone” and the answer is NO without question. The terms must be set individually to our own needs with a little bit of support from those who have shared experience. Peer Support provides a path to better cope and moves forward even though it might be small steps.

Today is the first day of the rest of your life!

Question: How does this relate to OSI-CAN and PEER Support?

Peer Support along with all the Clinical Support hopefully provides a new reference point, a new start, even though it may begin with baby steps. We all have individual starting points and how we move forward is the key.

I know in my personal life it is easy to get stuck at the Y in the road. To me that decision to move left or right is the difficult part. Once I make that decision based on all the pluses and minuses, along with other common-sense factors I am able to move forward.

Prairies to Peaks provides a template.

FIVE STEPS TO PROBLEM SOLVING … A problem is a situation or set of conditions that are preventing you from doing what you want to do.

1. PROBLEM: Clearly identify and state the problem

2. IMPACT: Identify how you are impacting the problem

3. COST/BENEFIT: Explore the pros and cons of solving the problem

4. BRAINSTORM: Come up with 3-5 ways to address the problem

5. ACTION: Pick 1-2 ways to begin to address the problem and create an action plan

HOPE. The belief that you have the ability, the opportunity and the supports to engage in the recovery process and develop your meaning and purpose in life.

These are weekly topics that can be considered prior to our group meeting. It is meant to be available as a topic of discussion during the group meeting or for someone physically unable to attend the meeting but available to discuss via text, phone or just simple reflection.

Peer Support Group Leader, Leigh

Realistic Goal Setting

This topic surfaced a couple of weeks ago during our Peer Support Meeting. The discussion was in setting realistic goals each day. The focus was making sure the goal was achievable. It didn’t matter how small the goal but it could be done. It might be getting up at a certain time. It might be to step outside for a short time. It might be having a shower to start your day, having a bubble bath or washing the dishes.

In this way the process begins to build self-worth and confidence. This leads to creating slivers of HOPE.

Quite awhile ago one of the members talked about creating positives by viewing things as half-full as opposed to half empty. This direction is what Peer Support is all about and the Road to Recovery.

What does this mean to you?

Peer Support Group Leader, Leigh