School of Peer Support

Applications for the School of Peer Support typically open at the end of June, and remain open for four weeks. The date for 2025-2026 applications has not yet been finalized, but we will advertise the date once it is set. Stay connected with CMHA Calgary for news of the application date and more by following us on Social Media or by signing up to receive our newsletter.

When applications open, the first step will be to apply through the School of Peer Support Pre-Evaluation Application link. This is a series of questions used to determine which applicants will be invited for an interview. Please do not send applications via email, over the phone, or in person. For those applicants selected, interviews will be conducted and a final selection of candidates will be invited to participate in the School of Peer Support program.

Yes, there is a program fee for all students in the School of Peer Support. Program fees help CMHA Calgary continue to offer high-quality programming to students, recovering a portion of the costs associated with continuous development and delivery. The majority of the cost per student is covered by CMHA Calgary and our generous supporters.  We understand that for some individuals, paying any amount might present a barrier to participation.  We do not want financial restrictions to impose a barrier to accessing our training. For those individuals who identify the need for assistance, we are able to discuss options on a case-by-case basis. Students will also be responsible for the cost associated with obtaining a Police Information Check, should it be requested by the practicum placement organization.

Yes! We will consider applications from out-of-town students who live within Canada. Please keep in mind for the practicum placement of out-of-town students, there will be an expectation that the student takes an active role in seeking out an agency for placement. Out-of-town students will attend classes virtually. We cannot accept any applications from candidates who live outside of Canada.

Yes, students who are invited to an interview for placement in the School of Peer Support may request accommodations for a disability upon being invited to interview.  CMHA Calgary will make every reasonable effort to accommodate these requests.

We are still finalizing the schedule for 2025-2026, but we expect classes to begin in October 2025 and be completed in June 2026. Practicums will begin in June 2026.

In the School of Peer Support, we offer options for virtual and in-person cohort groups. Please note that we do not offer hybrid delivery; each cohort group will have a dedicated mode of delivery. All students who are accepted into the program will be assigned to a specific cohort with a single mode of delivery. Each group is closed, meaning that students will always attend the same sessions with the same cohort group.

The School of Peer Support program includes 83 hours of theory and 50 hours of unpaid practicum. Theory sessions are scheduled weekly and are 3 hours in duration.  Additionally, there will be two orientation sessions which are 3.5 hours in duration. Our program has an attendance policy which all students are required to observe in order to maintain status as a student in the program. This will be discussed in greater detail during the first orientation session.

Students in the School of Peer Support will be expected to complete one reflection assignment per week.  Timely completion of assignments is required in order to maintain status as a student in the program. In the School of Peer Support, we understand that not all learners are the same, and therefore not all reflections will look the same.  We acknowledge that participation looks different for everyone, and encourage students to work together with their assigned facilitator to establish a format for reflections that works for their unique learning style.  There are no written exams in the School of Peer Support.

The 50 hours of practicum are to be completed as an unpaid internship. It is important to understand this before applying, as it is a long-term commitment. For your practicum placement, you will work together with the School of Peer Support Program Manager to determine the organization (CMHA Calgary or an external partner organization) that best fits your interests, availability and unique skillset as a Peer Support Worker.

We cannot guarantee that all graduates of the School of Peer Support will be employed upon completing the program. However, taking part in our program is likely to increase the chances of employment in Peer Support roles, as well as create a network of connections with fellow Peer Support Workers through classroom, community of practice, and practicum experience.

Contact us at peerschool@cmha.calgary.ab.ca.