The First step to a successful peer interaction is the peer supporter themselves. What qualities will lend themselves to the peer leaving getting the most out of the interaction? What qualities make a good peer supporter? These are qualities that many of us have, but reminding yourself of the important qualities can help you focus on a quality you may have been neglecting. 

Being open to other’s point of views. Not everyone is going to think the way we do and it is important to understand that. You will lock a peer down quickly if you aren’t open to hearing their point of view.

A Good Peer Supporter is Capable of Empathy. What is empathy? Empathy is the ability to understand the other’s perspective including their emotions without taking them on yourself. Imagine if you talked to someone that wasn’t able to connect with you in this way. How would that interaction go?

Trustworthy. How are you around your organization? Are you known as the “Mouth to the South”? How will this work for/against you in your goal of supporting your peers? Being trustworthy is important to your peer interaction. That peer needs to know that you understand your role and your limitations to give them the best shot for finding their direction. If you are known to be a blabber mouth, don’t worry, although it is hard to change your reputation around the firehouse, it is not impossible and if it’s important to you you can do it. 

Has a passion about helping others. A good peer will actually care about other people. They won’t be on the peer team to get a promotion. A good peer will be humble and not need recognition. Peer support is a thankless job. You can’t share your accolades or the people you help because of the nature of peer support. Confidentiality is huge. Without it you can eliminate your effectiveness quickly. 

Understands the basics of mental illnesses pertaining to peers. Peer supporters need to be familiar with some of the mental illnesses that afflict first responders. For example, first responders have a higher incidence of anxiety, depression, ptsd, and suicide. Understanding some of the basics of those illnesses is important to helping your peers.

Is an advocate for emotional wellness. Peer supporters need to be spreading positive messages regarding taking care of one’s mental health. There is a big problem with stigma in the first responder world and if they he peer supporter doesn’t take a stance against that stigma, they will lose credibility. 

High level of self-awareness. Peer supporters need to know what they are bringing into the interaction so they don’t get in the way of the peer they are helping. To do this, the peer supporter must have a high level of self-awareness. This takes practice, but is invaluable.

Has a network of professionals to refer the peer to. Understanding the limitations of peer support is important. Peer supporters are front line awareness level helpers. Often the needs of our peers are out of our scope and it is imperative to have someone to refer the peer to.