Peer Support

“I just want to talk to someone who’s had the same experience, someone who gets it.”

“Unless you’ve gone through something similar, it’s really hard to understand what it’s like.”

Peer support is foundational to Accidental Impacts. When we are in the grip of trauma and moral injury, it can be helpful to talk with someone who has been through a similar experience and is further along on the path to healing. That is why we bring CADIs together online for fellowship meetings and other events. In addition, some participants have initiated informal contact with other CADIs in between these events.

We are now extending this tradition to make it easier for CADIs who want to seek support from peers on an individual, one-on-one basis.

Peer supporters are CADIs who, through their own lived experience, have learned valuable lessons about trauma, coping, and growth, which they are willing to share from the standpoint of their own experience, strength, and hope. The relationship between peers gives both parties the opportunity to reflect on their experience, learn, and grow.

These relationships are not a substitute for professional behavioral health treatment, counseling, or therapy, and peer supporters do not take on responsibility for the well-being of peers. We recommend that all CADIs obtain professional psychotherapy.

Peer support relationships are not supervised or overseen by Accidental Impacts. It is the responsibility of both peers, together, to forge a relationship that is helpful, balanced, and supportive.

If you are interested in finding a peer supporter, please review our suggested Peer Support Guidelines and then contact [email protected]. We can send you list of the other CADIs who have signified their willingness to be peer supporters. You can either call someone from the list, or simply reach out to a peer you have met through the fellowship meetings or other events. Remember, while many CADIs have found that supporting and being supported by peers can be very rewarding, it’s up to you to create and regulate your own peer support relationships.

If you are interested in serving as a peer supporter, please review our suggested Peer Support Guidelines and then contact [email protected].