What is peer support?

Peer support is when people with shared experiences listen, understand, and offer guidance during challenging times. It's all about respect and mutual understanding, and its focus is to offer practical support, not diagnosis or clinical treatment. At its heart, peer support promotes hope, motivation and self-empowerment.

Is peer support the same as therapy or counselling?

Not exactly. While our clinicians are qualified nurses and midwives, peer support is distinct from clinical treatment. It focuses on practical support, shared understanding and empowerment rather than diagnosis or formal therapy. That said, if we felt you would benefit from additional clinical support, we can help get you to the right service.

How is talking to an NMHPA peer support clinician different from talking to my manager or a friend?

Our clinicians understand your professional world, but they're independent from your workplace and personal life. There's no hierarchy, no agenda, and no judgement. Just someone who is here to support your wellbeing.

What can I talk to a peer support clinician about?

Anything that's affecting your health, wellbeing, personal or professional life. It could be work-related stress or burnout, a difficult experience at work, concerns about your mental health, substance use, domestic and family violence, a notification or registration issue, or feeling that things are getting on top of you.

Is peer support right for me?

If you're a nurse, midwife or student and something is weighing on you and affecting your wellbeing, peer support is worth trying. Many people find it helpful to talk about things early, before they become too overwhelming. The first step and hardest step is reaching out. Please know that we are not a crisis service - if you need immediate support call Nurse & Midwife Support, Lifeline or 000.

Do these sessions work?

Participants tell us they benefit from peer-to-peer support. They learn to set boundaries, build self-care into their day, set clear goals and shift their thinking. Some tell us the support helped them decide to stay in their workplace. Others say they've gained confidence and feel empowered to look after themselves. How do we know this? Through an independent evaluation of our program.

How do I get started?

Call us on 1800 001 060 during business hours or contact us. You don't need a referral - contact us directly.

Understand peer support - Nurse Midwife Health Program Australia

Peer support brings together people with shared experiences to listen, understand and offer guidance. It is about hope and self-empowerment and offers practical support rather than diagnosis or clinical treatment. 

The NMHPA's approach to support centers on shared lived experiences of the nursing and midwifery professions. We seek to provide a safe, non-judgemental space where you will be heard by someone who has walked a similar path and who understands what your work really asks of you. 

Not exactly. While our clinicians are qualified nurses and midwives, peer support is distinct from clinical treatment. It focuses on practical support, shared understanding and empowerment rather than diagnosis or formal therapy. That said, if we felt you would benefit from additional clinical support, we can help get you to the right service.
Anything that's affecting your health, wellbeing, personal or professional life.
It could be work-related stress or burnout, a difficult experience at work, concerns about your mental health, substance use, domestic and family violence, a notification or registration issue, or feeling that things are getting on top of you. 
If you're a nurse, midwife or student and something is weighing on you and affecting your wellbeing, peer support is worth trying. Many people find it helpful to talk about things early, before they become too overwhelming. The first step and hardest step is reaching out.
Please know that we are not a crisis service - if you need immediate support call Nurse & Midwife Support, Lifeline or 000.
Participants tell us they benefit from peer-to-peer support. They learn to set boundaries, build self-care into their day, set clear goals and shift their thinking. Some tell us the support helped them decide to stay in their workplace. Others say they've gained confidence and feel empowered to look after themselves. How do we know this? Through an independent evaluation of our program.

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Understand peer support