Vancouver Coastal Health is partnering with RainCity Housing and Support Society to embed peers in nine care teams on the Downtown Eastside. The peers will be hired, managed and supported by RainCity. The peers will be hired over the next few months.

Peer partnership

Although VCH has many peers working on different teams, the peer contract with RainCity is unique because it is neighbourhood specific. RainCity has provided shelter and housing for thousands of people in the Lower Mainland. “They also have peer employment embedded in every level of their organization,” says Andrew Day, Director and Program Lead for Primary Care, Vancouver Community, VCH.

Peer role

The peers will provide additional support to clients, particularly as they transition or connect to health care services. The uniqueness of the role is that is starts from a place of non-judgement. The peer positions are part of a broader effort within the Downtown Eastside Second Generation Health Strategy to increase access to health services for marginalized clients.

Helping clients overcome challenges

“This program is a perfect example of how we are ensuring that supports are in place so British Columbians facing challenges with mental health and substance issue receive assistance. Thanks to the peer support program expansion, people facing these challenges will have the opportunity to learn from those who have lived through a similar experience.” ~Health Minister Terry Lake

Words of wisdom from a VCH peer

Erika Weikle is a peer support worker with the Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACT team).

“I’ve been there too, I got through it, and so can you.” Erika Weikle is a peer support worker with the Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACT team). Her “street cred” includes an 11-year struggle with mental health and substance use, including six years in institutions and hospitals. Erika says being a peer support worker brings lived experience to the care team.

“We bring a fresh perspective to what might be going on with a client,” says Erika. According to Erika, the role of the peer can help people see that no matter how hard it is now, things can get better and life doesn’t have to be so difficult forever. Erika says she can make a connection with a client quickly, because she knows what they’re going through. “Many clients in the Downtown Eastside may not have a healthy group of friends or supportive families. Their mental health and addictions team may be the only connection they have with someone who legitimately cares about their well-being.”