At Lootus Õnnele, our peer support service is built on the principle that people who have personally experienced mental health challenges or addiction can offer meaningful support to others on a similar path. Peer supporters are trained individuals who use their lived experience of recovery to help others navigate emotional distress and life difficulties. While they are not therapists, their role is deeply valuable – they bring understanding that comes from direct personal experience.

Individual Support Sessions

Peer supporters offer one-on-one conversations focused on emotional stability, building trust, and identifying practical coping strategies. These sessions create a safe and non-judgmental space, especially important during crisis or periods of personal change, when traditional clinical support may feel too distant or formal.

Group Support and Community Circles

We organize group-based peer meetings where participants can share their stories, listen to others, and develop a sense of connection. Group settings reduce isolation, foster resilience, and offer opportunities to learn from others’ recovery strategies. Peer supporters guide the discussions, maintain respectful boundaries, and create a trusting group atmosphere.

Experience Sharing and Motivation

When appropriate, peer supporters share their own recovery journeys – not to dramatize, but to offer perspective, show what is possible, and help others feel less alone. Through honesty and authenticity, they help clients gain confidence that change is achievable and that they, too, can move forward.

Guidance and Resource Navigation

Peer supporters assist clients in finding relevant services, community supports, and recovery tools. They provide practical information, explain how systems work, and help clients avoid feeling overwhelmed or lost when trying to access help.

Skills for Self-Management and Resilience

Beyond emotional support, peer supporters help clients develop daily self-regulation strategies and life skills. These include emotional awareness, boundary-setting, stress management, and goal planning. The aim is to empower clients to take control of their recovery and navigate everyday challenges more effectively.

Peer support is a powerful complement to other forms of care. It is grounded in empathy, respect, and shared experience. For many clients, this service becomes a crucial part of their overall recovery journey – one that validates their feelings, strengthens their inner resources, and restores their belief in themselves.