Peer Support
Empathy Brings Healing (Written for Service Canada’s internal newsletter) Léa Gagné Werthman, APR Senior Advisor, Transformation Solutions and Adoption Peer Supporter, ESDC, & Member of the Federal Speakers Bureau on Workplace Mental Health When I experienced my own deep depression in 2017, following the traumatic ending to my marriage, my work family was there to catch me. My Director gave me the space and support I needed, and my colleagues were there to listen as I worked through my shock and pain. Employee Assistance connected me with a great therapist, and I shifted all of my energy to self-care and recovering my sense of self. I quickly realized how valuable empathy is by just having someone listen to me. Each time I spoke about my pain with a compassionate listener, the weight of my sadness lifted a little. When ESDC launched its Peer Support program, I responded to the first call-out for volunteers. After a week of training – in the company of an amazing group of like-minde...