Peer support

Peer support comes from people who are similar in some ways to those who need help. They could have a similar:

• Disability
• Sexuality or gender identity.

Peer support draws on the power of shared experiences. It can help you feel understood and accepted.

Peer supporters are not traditional "experts" but they have lived experience. Peer support conversations may be more casual and relaxed than when an expert offers treatment to a patient or client. 

Peer support is usually brief. It aims to:

• Ensure you feel heard, safe, and respected.
• Ease your distress then and there.

If you use peer support, you should keep other supports you have, too. Peer support adds to things like counselling and supportive relationships but doesn't replace them. 

If you want to find peer support, you could:

• Search the internet. Enter the type of support you need, the words "peer support" and your state or area.
• Call or text a helpline. The person you reach can point you in the right direction. You can find a list of helplines in the Neve page Helpline directory (internal link).
• Ask your service coordinator, or another support worker, for help finding a peer support service that suits you.

Counselling and other support services

Counselling for sexuality and relationships provides a safe and private space for you to talk and ask questions. It can help you learn about and accept yourself.

Counselling may explore topics like:

• Sexual identity, like whether you are gay, straight or something else.
• Gender identity, which is whether you see yourself as a woman/girl, man/boy, both, neither or something else. It could be different from what you were called at birth.
• Sexual dysfunction, which is when you have trouble having sex the way you want.
• Communication challenges, like if you want to "come out" or tell others about your sexuality or gender.
• Intimacy, which is when you feel close to others.

With a trained counsellor, you can understand and accept your sexuality. You can have more satisfying relationships with friends, family, partners and yourself.

This type of counselling doesn't just help individuals. It helps create a better, kinder society. It helps us respect and embrace our similarities and differences. Learn more on the Neve page Counselling and therapy (internal link).