What is Side by Side?

Side by Side is a peer support program that complements the mental health services available for medical students at the Faculty of Medicine. Peer supporters aim to build on their relationships with fellow medical students and use their expertise in understanding the unique challenges of medical school.

The objectives of the program are:
  1. to improve help-seeking behaviours;
  2. to reduce stigma;
  3. to provide non-judgmental, accessible, and confidential support to students from peers who have undergone training.

What is a Peer Supporter?

Peer Supporters are medical students chosen after a thorough selection process to provide a listening ear, support and refer classmates in need to services within the Faculty of Medicine. This year we have 67 volunteer Peer Supporters take proactive action by checking in on classmates who may need help.