Welcome to the HeadsUpGuys Peer Support Course. This course is designed to arm you with the foundational knowledge and practical skills necessary to support a man (like a friend, partner, co-worker, or family member) who may be struggling with his mental health.
Learn how best to support the men in your life
World-wide, men account for roughly 75% of suicide deaths every year, with untreated depression being a leading risk factor. We also know that men are much less likely to seek support than women. Because of this, it’s imperative that we learn to support men’s mental health and encourage guys to make use of the resources available to them.
Men face a lot of stigma when reaching out, not only around dealing with a mental health issue, but also about looking weak when asking for support. Part of our role as peer supporters for men is to break down these false narratives and support guys to look after themselves with the same level of support they would offer a friend.
In this course, we explore what peer support means, how to cultivate supportive relationships, and ways to sustain our well-being as we help others.
Following the introduction, the course is divided into four sections:
We include exercises in each section for self-reflection and skill application. The course is self-directed so you can work through and complete it when it works best for you.
By the end of the course, you’ll be better able to:
Let’s get started by learning about the foundations of peer support.