What we do
The Peer Support Centre (PSC) is comprised of 100+ dedicated trained volunteers and paid staff. The PSC provides all AMS undergraduate students with confidential, non-judgmental, empathetic, peer-based support, including resource referrals and practical assistance on a drop-in basis.
The PSC adheres to five main values: safety, confidentiality, accessibility, empathy, and community. Aligning with these values, the PSC works to contribute to the development of a supportive, and inclusive campus environment with both the work done within the Centre and outside of the Centre through outreach and marketing campaigns. The PSC aims to continue facilitating awareness among the student body of the personal, health and wellness, social, and academic resources that exist.
The PSC is not a substitute for professional support and services, instead we aim to encourage members of the Queen’s community to engage in help-seeking behaviours when facing adversity.
Comprised of 100+ dedicated trained volunteers
Dedicated and provide welcoming, confidential, non-judgmental and empathetic peer-based support
Fall Term Hours
10:00 am - 10:00 pm, 7 days a week
Location
Room 26 & 34 on the lower floor of the John Deutsch University Centre (99 University Avenue, Kingston, Ontario)
NEW: The PSC x CARED initiative!
PSC x CARED is a new initiative on-campus aimed to provide peer-to-peer support for self-identified BIPOC students (Black/Indigenous/Persons of Colour) on-campus through a multitude of methods between the PSC and the Committee Against Racial and Ethnic Discrimination (CARED). The includes, but is not limited to, designated peer support sessions/consultations for racialized students, and referrals to specific on-campus resources.
Students Most often speak to us about the following
- Stress
- Academic grievances
- Financial assistance
- Oppression/discrimination
- Sexual assault
- Mental health
- And more
Need support now?
As of September 1, 2019, all Queen's students have access to Empower Me! - A multi-lingual confidential and professional counselling service, free-of-charge. Visit myams.org for more information.
Our Values
Meet our Management Team
Frequently Asked Questions
You will find a volunteer at the PSC at all times during our hours of 10:00am-10:00pm.
No. Our drop-in service operates on a first come, first serve basis.
No. In order to protect the anonymity of our volunteers and to help maintain confidentiality, we do not allow this request.
All information shared at the Peer Support Centre is confidential. A volunteer will never address your visit or issues shared outside of your visit. However, if you are uncomfortable speaking with someone you know, you are welcome to visit our other Centre (located next door) if it is open or you can also come back at another time.
Your visit to the Peer Support Centre is confidential. This means that outside of the Centre, a volunteer will not address your visit or issues shared. If you see a volunteer on-campus, you are welcome to smile or say hello, or choose not to say anything. We will follow your lead and whatever you are comfortable with.
If you arrive and the door is closed and the sign says
Session In Progress –
You may choose to have a seat outside of the Centre and wait for a volunteer to be available or you can come back later
Closed – This means that it is outside of our 10 am – 10 pm operating hours.
Note: If it is an emergency, you should seek help as necessary by calling Campus Security (533-6111) or 911. You can also contact Empower Me!
at 1-844-741-6389
The duration of a session is up to you. A session can range from two minutes to several hours, depending on what suits your needs best. We are open 7 days a week, from 10:00am to 10:00pm, but if sessions run beyond one volunteer’s shift period, a new volunteer may finish off the rest of the session with you.
Upon arrival, you will be asked to sign a confidentiality agreement. This agreement outlines that all information disclosed to the volunteer during and after a session will be kept private. For the safety of yourself and others, the confidentiality agreement also states any circumstances when the confidentiality agreement may be breached.
Campaigns & Events
Upcoming Events
Campaigns
Self-Care
Self-Care Calendar
We value that students take the time to self-care, especially when life is busy to the point where we tend to forget about our own well-being.
Self-care is done when you take an active role in promoting your own well-being and happiness, in particular during periods of stress.
We value accessibility and one way we are upholding this value is by providing students with a free and downloadable self-care calendar – a template to schedule in self-care as needed.
Get Involved
Organizations
Students
Hiring
Staff and volunteer positions are now closed! Please visit this section for more information around January.
Write a blog article
Help us spread awareness on topics revolving around support-seeking, resources, self-care, and more.
Submit Art
You can submit paintings, graphics, drawings, or whatever you can come up with that supports what we do.
The PSC Blog
The PSC blog is an opportunity for students to voice their experiences on topics regarding support-seeking behaviour, resources, self-care, compassion fatigue, the transition to Queen’s, our values, and more.
Once a month, a blog will be posted and featured on our social media platforms.
Not knowing how to write a blog article is completely okay. Supports are put in place to ensure that your writing experience is as easy as possible, so we encourage you to write about a topic that you are passionate about that also supports what we do.