Peer Support
Peer Supporters are trained upper-year Saint Mary’s students who offer peer-to-peer mental health support. Peer Supporters have lived experience with mental health and understand the challenges of being a student. The Peer Support Program is confidential and open to all students.
You can meet with a Peer Supporter to discuss mental health, learn resiliency and coping strategies, and find out about resources. Join their events and drop-in programs or drop in for one-to-one support during office hours. To contact a Peer Supporter, email peer.support@smu.ca.
Greetings from The Counselling Centre,
We are pleased to introduce our Peer Supporters, Accessibility Wellness Ambassador, and 2SLGBTQ+ Wellness Ambassador for the 2023-24 academic year! Peer Supporters provide one-on-one drop-in support to students. Their schedule can be found below. Wellness Ambassadors provide social programming and support to members of their community. Feel free to reach out to them by email with any questions!
Back Row, left to right: Zoë, Jo, Ama; Front Row: Claudia
Zoë MacDonald, Accessibility Wellness Ambassador
Hi! My name is Zoë (she/her) and I am the Accessibility Ambassador for this upcoming school year! I am currently in my second year as a psychology major and the world of mental health/psychology is near and dear to my heart in a multitude of ways. I have always had in interest in working in a field that helps others, particularly those afflicted with mental health struggles, and I am happy to be working towards that goal now. I’m also pursuing a minor in English as I am a huge book lover!
Jo McKenzie, 2SLGBTQ+ Wellness Ambassador
My name is Jo (they/them) and I’m your 2SLGBTQ+ Wellness Ambassador. As a nonbinary transmasc student, my area of focus this year lies mostly within guidance towards gender affirming care, which includes but is not limited to; HRT paperwork, name change forms and binder exchange programs. I am currently an Anthropology major going into my sixth year with a focus in Biological Anthro! I love bugs, fossils, rocks, plants- and primates!!! (ask me about monkeys!)
Ama Adau Saah, Peer Supporter
I'm Ama Adua Saah (she/her), a 4th-year student pursuing double majors in Accounting and Economics. Hailing from Ghana, I'm deeply passionate about mental health because I understand the significance it has on quality of life. Beyond academics, I find joy in singing and painting. As a Mental Health Peer Supporter, I'm dedicated to fostering understanding and support for mental well-being, knowing firsthand its significance in enhancing quality of life.
Claudia Tattrie-Leck, Peer Supporter
Meet Claudia (she/her), a caring peer supporter in her fourth university year. Originally from Porters Lake, she's studying psychology. She takes comfort in her artistic pursuits, which include reading, drawing, and keeping an art journal. Having confronted her own mental health challenges, Claudia aspires to provide others with the care and security they deserve, helping them navigate their own journeys toward healing. She's also an animal lover, a devoted Sims 4 player, and she's a huge fan of ghost stories and unashamedly nerding out.
Peer Support Drop-in Schedule Fall 2023
Tuesdays
10am-12pm in The Counselling Centre SC406 with Claudia
2:30pm-4:30pm in Loyola Residence 105 with Ama
Wednesdays
2pm-4pm in the Library Study Room 3 with Ama
Thursdays
1pm-3pm in the Fred Smithers Centre Classroom SC302 with Claudia
Any student is welcome to drop by Peer Support, no appointment needed! Simply stop by to talk about whatever is on your mind.
Want to learn more about upcoming events hosted by The Counselling Centre? Email Healthy.Minds@smu.ca to sign up for the Healthy Minds Newsletter!
Meet Your Peer Supporters
Peer Support does not run during the spring and summer months. This page will be updated in September 2023. Please contact counselling@smu.ca with any questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Peer Supporters are expected to uphold confidentiality. They receive training on confidentiality to help ensure all students feel safe accessing support.
Peer Support is free for all Saint Mary’s students. All students are welcome to participate.
Peer Supporters must be in second year or above.
Peer Supporters undergo three days of training (approximately 20 hours) on topics such as helping skills, responding to distress, and stigma with the Stay Connected Mental Health Project. They attend weekly meetings with an on-campus supervisor from the Counselling Centre and monthly network meetings with Peer Supporters from other university campuses. They are educated on special topics such as LGBTQ+ mental health and sexual violence, among others. They do not provide professional counselling.
The Counselling Centre at Saint Mary's University
4th Floor Student Centre, SC406
923 Robie Street
Halifax, Nova Scotia
B3H 3C3
Phone: 902-420-5615
