A few months ago I saw an ad for an internship at a local mental health organization, and I’m SO grateful that they took a chance on me. I’ve been interning at Peer Support Space — primarily running their Twitter, which you should totally follow — since last semester, but it just celebrated its one-year anniversary on February 1! They recognized the big day by officially opening up a new center in Kissimmee, which I’ll let Dani Hill tell you all about. Dani, a co-founder of Peer Support Space, was kind enough to answer my plea for an interview so we could spread the word about this game-changing resource.
So, let’s get right down to it: what is Peer Support Space?
Peer Support Space is a new, grassroots nonprofit that is lead by and for those who have various obstacles to mental wellness such as trauma, grief, mental health and substance use challenges. Peer Support Space was co-founded in 2019 by myself and Yasmin Flasterstein. In this inaugural year, we held 115+ community gatherings providing support to over 2,500 individuals.
What exactly motivated you to found Peer Support Space?
There have been times when I needed support but I couldn’t afford a therapist — accessibility is a big issue in Central Florida. Providing peer services was the most affordable and practical way to provide support to those who might not have access to clinical services.
Can you explain the concept of ‘peer support’ and what makes it different from clinical or group therapy settings?
Peer Support is based on mutuality, empathy and compassion. We aren’t clinicians, we aren’t experts, but we have been through our own tough times and will hold space for you and walk supportively alongside you on your journey.
What kinds of topics do your support groups cover?
We focus on “filling gaps in our mental health community,” which is just jargon for providing gathering spaces for those who might not have support otherwise or who might get overlooked. We have groups for those working towards body-positivity, sexual assault survivors, LGBTQ+ Asians, gender-queer folk, adults with autism, sexual assault survivors, young adults of color living with HIV and so many more. Additionally, we have gatherings such as Be Kind to Your Mind in Orlando and Kissimmee that are open to anyone who wants to be in a supportive environment where vulnerability is honored.
Since our gatherings are led by individuals who are from the community being served, they are able to connect with, resonate with, and empathize deeply with the participants.
Do you offer any events or services other than the groups? (Group Schedule linked here!)
In addition to our gatherings, we hold panels and events aimed at destigmatizing mental health. This year, we will be holding four community panels aimed at destigmatizing mental health in Black Communities, led by representative community mental health professionals, peers and spiritual leaders.
As of February 1, we launched our first brick and mortar location at 880 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd in Kissimmee — it is a drop-in space where all are welcome to pop in from Monday to Thursday from 11–4 p.m. to partake in recreational activities, get one to one peer support, and be in a brave space where it’s “okay to not be okay.”
Our drop-in mirrors our community gatherings in that it is led by and for those who have been there. Come check us out!
What were some of the most fun moments in Peer Support Space’s first year?
My favorite part of our first year was meeting with facilitators and learning from them, their experiences. I’m mindful of my own intersections and that I am only the expert on my own personal experience. Our facilitators are the experts on theirs.
Learning from them and shaping their gatherings based on their experiences has been such a wonderful, humbling, perspective broadening experience. I’m so grateful for the diverse folk that contribute so much to Peer Support Space and help us provide support, in an authentic way, to so many.
What are your goals for 2020?
The building where our drop-in services are held has the capacity for overnight services and we are looking to launch a Peer Respite Center there. Our goal is to have the funding to open by 2021 — to provide a place where folks can stay overnight for up to a week at a time.
Tell us about the Peer Respite Center!
The idea is you might not be feeling well, but you don’t necessarily want or need a behavioral hospital, but you do need some time away to re-center and focus on self-care.
So often we get bogged down by the day to day that we neglect ourselves and our mental health suffers as a result. The Peer Respite offers a space where you can stay (for a week or so), embrace a pause, and take care of yourself — whatever that might look like for you.
Where can our new Peer Support Space lovers find you on social media?
We have Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!
If anyone wants to do more than give PSS a follow, how can they get involved?
We do have a Get Involved page on our website, and we are still forming and humbly need funding to continue to be successful — if you’ve got a little to give please consider supporting us by making a financial contribution.
From an insider’s perspective, I can tell you that it really is as great as it seems! The positivity and acceptance in the space are soul-cleansing, and co-founders Dani and Yasmin are entirely genuine and dedicated. Remember: if you or a friend are ever in need, Peer Support Space will be there for you.