Debbie Wiebe (she/her)

Twenty years ago mental health professionals told me that peer support made no sense. Despite this I kept going because the peers I worked with talked about how impactful peer support was to their journey. Now twenty years later, here I am steering the peer support movement at an international level.

My background…

In recent years, my work has inspired governments across Canada to invest in Peer Support beyond a school for peer support workers and to introduce employment opportunities for them as well. Nationally, I was one of the architects for the development of the national peer support guidelines with the Mental Health Commission of Canada: “Guidelines for the Practice and Training of Peer Support” and also worked directly with them as part of an international team to create the recommendation report: "Making the Case for Peer Support". While I began my career in social work, what my programs taught me and others, is that it was my transition to using my own lived experience with mental illness as a peer support worker that allowed me to be the most approachable and impactful. Recognising that mentorship for peer support was lacking, I then embarked on a project with Peer Support Canada to develop competencies of practice, and a practice framework for peer supporters to work within, as well as being part of the team that developed peer support and peer mentorship certification for Canada.

How I can help…

As one of the first Peer Mentors in Canada, and still actively practicing, certifying, and leading communities of practice. I am thrilled to see peer support grow into a legitimate employment opportunity. I support organisations with the development of competencies for their peer workforce, create frameworks of peer practice, and offer strategic guidance and support organisationally for embedding peer working.

Recognising that mentorship only goes so far, I now lead the International Peer Leadership Network, designed to develop the leadership skills and capabilities for practicing and emerging peer supporters across the globe.

The future of mental health…

Where everyone accessing or trying to access mental health supports has a voice and a choice.