top of page
Frequently asked questions
The CAPS PSP is a way to support CAPS members when they go through a life-changing crisis or difficult situation of a personal, family or emotional nature. Divorce, personal or family illness, death of a loved one, trauma, difficulties with children, caregiving, and stress, are a few examples of what our CAPS PSP can help you with. A trained colleague provides a friendly ear to another colleague who would like support from someone who has lived a similar experience and really understands what it’s like.
The Peer Support Program is not business coaching or mentorship. We know it can be hard to focus on business while going through a personal crisis and that sometimes a tough personal time can seriously derail us from our business plan and aspirations. We don’t focus on business. We listen, encourage and support our members through a difficult personal or family crisis so that they can quickly recover and get back to business.
The CAPS PSP and its volunteers are not a substitute for mental health advice, opinion or treatment from a doctor or qualified mental health practitioner. We encourage you to see your doctor or obtain professional help from a trained mental health professional if you need it. Our program is not a counselling program or a crisis centre – it is a peer to peer talking and listening program.
The volunteer is a trustworthy listener who encourages and supports a CAPS colleague through a difficult personal or family crisis such as illness, death, trauma, or in dealing with a natural disaster. The goal of Speakers Listening is to enable members to connect with a peer who has lived through a similar experience and therefore understands what it is like. This trustworthy listener will encourage and support you through a difficult time.
Our volunteers are a diverse group of people who are representative of the CAPS membership across the country. The CAPS PSP Volunteers have all had their share of personal struggles to deal with, know what pain is and have gone through a personal journey to recovery. They are eager to lend a helping hand to colleagues who are going through a difficult time. They understand what it’s like. They also know that people have incredible resilience and can recover their zest for life because they’ve done it.
The PSP Committee understands how much difference a little support and encouragement can make. As CAPS members themselves, they understands your need for privacy. You will be treated with discretion and the utmost respect.
You can choose a peer support volunteer yourself, or contact the PSP Chair if you would rather have a volunteer chosen for you.
Your personal business is a private matter. We follow the highest standards of confidentiality. Only your Peer Support Volunteer and yourself will know that you have used the program, unless of course you tell other people.
One of the first things we will discuss with you is confidentiality – what it means and the few exceptional circumstances that the PSP Volunteer may be required by law or by professional ethics to disclose a small amount of information to secure your own or someone else’s safety.
Simply fill out the brief Peer Support Request Form to apply.
You can also use the following confidential email (peersupport@speakerslistening.com) to contact the PSP Chair. You will be contacted as soon as possible by email or phone to set up a time to talk with you by whatever means is most convenient. The Chair will explain the program, find out your needs and link you with a peer support volunteer.
bottom of page