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Peer Exchange
This space features resources created by Peer Support Workers—ranging from books to videos to podcasts and more. Our goal is to highlight the voices, experiences, and creativity within our community, while strengthening learning and connections across peer support practices. We invite you to explore, reflect, and share these offerings.
If you have suggestions for resources you’d like to see—or if you’d like to contribute your own work—we’d love to hear from you. You can reach us at website.wcpts@gmail.com.
Featured Item - Nova McGillivray - As I, A Peer Podcast Episode
The work of WCPTS Secretary, Nova McGillivray was featured in the podcast, As I A Peer. We are pleased to highlight her episode in our Peer Exchange.
“In this episode of As I, A Peer, we’re thrilled to welcome Nova McGillivray, a dedicated peer support facilitator from Calgary, Alberta. Nova’s journey into peer support began in 2013, when she struggled to find any support groups in the city for postpartum depression. Motivated by this gap, she took matters into her own hands, starting to facilitate group sessions herself. Since 2018, she has been offering one-on-one support, always driven by a deep passion for helping others. Her dedication to this work grew even stronger in 2021, when she completed the CMHA School of Peer Support. This milestone led her to her role as a 1:1 Peer Support Specialist at the Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support Centre in 2022, and by 2024, she proudly earned her certification as a Peer Supporter.
As a mother of two earthside children and three in the stars, Nova draws strength and balance from her love of the outdoors, hiking, dogs, and reading. Her personal experiences, combined with her professional training, allow her to offer support that truly resonates with those she works with. Through her work, Nova continues to make a meaningful impact in the community, helping others navigate their challenges with empathy, understanding, and care.
Join us as Nova shares her inspiring journey into peer support, how her lived experiences have shaped her approach, and the lasting impact she’s making in the lives of those she supports.”
Featured Item - Reconstruction Quest Book
This inaugural piece that we have chosen for our new section, Peer Exchange, is a book authored by long-standing WCPTS member, John F. Gerrard. This recounting of his lived experience has informed his exemplary work as a peer support worker and by sharing it with us, it in turn provides us with further knowledge, insight and awareness that can enhance our own peer support practice. It is a "must read" for all peer support workers.
Reconstruction Quest is a deeply intimate memoir that explores the journey of living with a mind that works differently from the majority. Gerrard skilfully recounts his experiences with altered states, psychosis, and depression, offering a raw and honest reflection on the complexities of mental health. He shares insights into the power of self-talk and the profound impact that language has on our behaviour and self-perception. Gerrard acknowledges the delicate balance between acceptance and the pursuit of growth, while also examining personal responsibility, free will, and the ongoing challenge of self-improvement. Through candid storytelling, this memoir underscores the importance of perseverance, self-compassion, and community. Reconstruction Quest is both a source of inspiration and a compelling call for greater empathy and understanding in how we approach mental health.
Our Generous Donors 2021-2025
