A PATH TO FOLLOW
Family Peer Support and Advocacy
prevention
Early intervention
personalised support
Family Peer Support and Advocacy
We understand that navigating Victoria’s mental health and community service system while supporting a family member facing mental health challenges can be overwhelming. That’s why we’re here to offer a helping hand, providing guidance, advocacy, and support to families.
Our service fills the void where the system may be lacking, offering assistance from individuals who have firsthand experience with mental health challenges. We are dedicated to empowering families and advocating for the well-being of family members on their journeys.
A Path To Follow sees family (in addition to what is deemed lawful) as defined as a group of people who see each other as sharing a significant supportive relationship with each other.
We understand the unique needs and challenges families face in accessing appropriate services, support and resources. Our team, composed of a compassionate and diverse range of humans with lived or living experience with mental health challenges, provides guidance, support, and advocacy. We aim to empower families, from an intentional peer support perspective that is strengths focused, to become informed, confident advocates for themselves and their loved ones.
Our Family Peer Support and Advocacy service is specifically tailored for parents and families who are supporting a family member facing mental health challenges. We understand the importance of addressing the needs of the whole family where there is mental ill health being experienced.
Guidance and Navigation: Our experienced team will help you navigate the Victoria’s mental health and community service systems , providing clarity and support throughout the process. We can assist you in understanding the available specialised mental health services a family member may require, accessing appropriate resources, and engage and/or participate in shared team care for family members requiring support. We understand that all family members can be impacted when someone in the group is experiencing challenges.
Advocacy: We will stand by your side as strong advocates, ensuring your and your family’s voices are heard and respected. We can help you communicate effectively with healthcare providers, schools, and other relevant to ensure support is provided in a way that you want it.Â
Emotional Support: We understand the emotional toll that supporting and caring can have on families where there is a person experiencing challenges. Our team provides a safe space for you to share your concerns, fears, and also your strengths, small wins and triumphs. We offer empathy, understanding, compassion and practical coping strategies to help you navigate the ups and downs from a peer perspective where we walk beside you, using our journeys to connect with yours.Â
Connection: Our service is designed to support families to re-connect and sustain connection with themselves, their families and community.  Our commitment is to walk beside families as you with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to advocate for your family’s needs. We aim to strengthen your ability to navigate the system independently, ensuring that you are active participants in your family’s care.Â
Family Peer Support and Advocacy Journey
Referral
Our Family Peer Support and Advocacy support service can be accessed via multiple sources, including a family member themselves, schools and other service providers. We define family inline with one’s chosen family and do not place additional boundaries around that.
Referrals can be made by contacting us directly. Upon receiving a referral, our team initiates an initial phone consultation with the referring party to gather relevant information and better understand the family’s needs and circumstances.
This consultation serves as an opportunity to determine if our program is the most appropriate fit, ensuring that the affected members receive the most suitable support.
Initial Consultation
We facilitate an initial inperson consultation (face to face or online) with the family member/s to ensure that our service is the most appropriate fit for their needs. During this consultation, we gather relevant information about the challenges, family dynamics, and specific concerns. This allows us to better understand their situation and tailor our support accordingly.
Agreement of Plan and Goals
After the initial consultation, we work collaboratively with the family member/s to establish an agreed plan for how the family peer support and advocacy and partnership will work. We discuss the desired preferences of support, taking into consideration the unique needs and circumstances of the family. This collaborative approach ensures that our support is aligned with the family's expectations and aspirations.
Sessions Begin
Once the plans are determined, our Family Peer Support and Advocacy sessions can commence. These sessions can take place in our office, in the community, or through virtual platforms such as Zoom or phone calls, providing flexibility and accessibility. Our experienced and compassionate team offers a safe and supportive space where families can openly express their concerns, receive guidance, and develop practical strategies to navigate the challenges they face.
Youth Peer Support Program Testimonials
"Being able to be linked in to A Path To Follow has been a breath of fresh air. You've allowed me to access a wonderful giving mentor, who has many shared experiences making a session more like talking with a friend than a professional, which if you've had any experience in this system, is rare. This team work to reach goals and navigate a very twisting and complex system."
"We have been given hope when there was none, services when we couldn't financially access them and basics like home baked food, and shopping when we just didn't have the inclination to make any. This played a huge part in us being able to carry on as normally as possible when nothing was normal at all. We are deeply grateful for every bit of it. Thank you."