EDQ Peer Mentoring Program

Successful mentoring requires thorough training through our program and a commitment to regular mentoring contact agreed to by mentor and mentee for a six-month period.

The design and structure of the Peer Mentor Program is based on best practice national and international standards from other mentoring programs. Data and feedback from the program undergo ongoing evaluation to improve the program and the experiences of participants.

• Mentor training covers Mentoring best practice, Recovery principles, Personal Boundaries, Expectations, Crisis response, Meal support and links mentors with support resources and the Eating Issues Centre team.
• Following the training all mentors will be linked with a senior mentor who has also completed the mentor program. There will be an opportunity to join a private Facebook group and to participate in peer group forums.
• Mentors will also have several opportunities to connect socially throughout the 6 month program.

National Strategy Standards and Actions

Psychosocial and Recovery Support

Standard 1: People experiencing eating disorders and their families/supports have access to psychosocial and recovery support services and programs, according to their needs.

Action 1.2: Clinical services to include psychosocial and recovery support providers in the multidisciplinary care team where appropriate.

Action 1.4: Psychosocial and recovery service providers to ensure that programs and services are available for people experiencing eating disorders and their families/supports

Workforce

Standard 3: There is a skilled and diverse Lived Experience workforce operating across the system of care, including in governance, leadership, consultation, and direct care roles.

Action 3.1: Organisational and service leaders to endorse and build organisational readiness to support
the leadership and work of eating disorder Lived Experience workers within their organisation/service, recognising Lived Experience workers as integral partners in the system of care.

Action 3.2: Eating disorder lived experience organisations and eating disorder service development organisations to develop standards, competencies, and training frameworks for the eating disorder Lived Experience workforce, building on existing work within the eating disorder sector and the broader mental health sector.