Ontario Brain Injury Association (OBIA) Peer Support Program

The Program matches volunteer Mentors and Partners for a series of one-to-one interactions that focus on the discussion and resolution of problems or issues (i.e., problem solving) related to one or several key topic areas including family and friends, resources, life changes or challenges, (health care) professionals, social/recreational activities, work/employment/training/volunteering, the brain injury itself, emotions or feelings, and other issues.27 Once the match is established, the Mentor and Partner communicate with one another primarily by telephone until the problems or issues are either resolved or a referral to another service is made (i.e., counselling or community support services). For some partnerships, communication by email or video conferencing is used.27 Most telephone calls last between 20 and 40 minutes (personal communication) and are held weekly.