Get Support
There's no waitlist for peer support. No referral. No intake forms. You just reach out — and we'll take it from there.
Reach Out However Feels Right
You don't have to explain yourself before you call. You don't have to know what you need. Any of these will get you to a real person who's ready to listen.
Call or Text
Our peer connection line is answered by trained peer supporters — not a call centre, not a voicemail system.
555-555-5555Outside hours? Leave a message and we'll return your call the next business day.
If calling feels like too much right now, writing is completely fine. We read every email and reply thoughtfully.
connect@example.comYou don't need to write much — even "I'm not sure where to start" is enough.
Drop In
Come to our Guelph location during drop-in hours. No appointment needed — a peer supporter will be there to meet you.
Address: 44 Carden Street, second floor, Guelph.
Accessible entrance via Carden Street. Elevator available.
Your First Contact
Most people feel a bit nervous before reaching out for the first time. That's completely normal. Here's what actually happens:
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You contact us
Call, text, email, or walk in. You can say as much or as little as you want.
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A peer supporter responds
You'll speak with a real person who has lived experience of mental health challenges. They'll listen without judgment.
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We figure out what fits
Together, you'll talk about what kind of support would feel right — a group, a one-on-one, a workshop, or something else.
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You decide what happens next
There's no pressure to commit to anything. You're in control of what you try and when.
Who Benefits from Peer Support
Peer support works for a wide range of experiences. It doesn't require a diagnosis, a crisis, or a specific problem. You might find it useful if you're experiencing any of these:
If you're unsure whether peer support is right for your situation, just ask. We'll be honest with you.
Peer Support Is Different from Therapy
Peer support and professional mental health care are not the same thing — and that's not a shortcoming. They serve different purposes and work best together.
Peer support is not a substitute for therapy or psychiatry when you need them. But for many people — especially those waiting for care or managing day-to-day challenges — it's exactly what helps. And it doesn't make the other kinds of care less accessible; it often makes them easier to access.
Crisis Resources
Steady Ground peer support is not a crisis service. If you're in immediate danger, or you're not sure whether you're safe, please reach out to one of these services. They're available around the clock.
Available 24 hours a day, free, confidential
If You're Worried About Someone
Sometimes the person who calls us isn't looking for support for themselves — they're trying to help a family member, partner, or friend. That's a real need too.
Resources for family and friends
Our peer supporters can talk through what you're observing, how to have a conversation with someone you're worried about, and what to do if you think someone may be in crisis. You don't need to figure it out alone.
We can also point you to Family Mental Health Ontario, CAMH's family support resources, and local caregiver groups in Wellington County.
Call or email us — just let us know you're reaching out on behalf of someone else.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you're in crisis, please call 9-8-8 or Here 24/7 (1-833-456-4566) — they are equipped for immediate crisis support in a way that peer supporters are not. If you call our line and it becomes clear you need crisis support, we will stay on the line with you and help you connect to the right service.
Anything. "I'm not sure where to start." "I've been struggling." "I heard about you and I wanted to find out more." There's no script and nothing you need to have figured out. The peer supporter who answers will take it from there — gently and without pressure.
Yes. What you share with peer supporters is confidential. We don't share your information with your doctor, your family, your employer, or anyone else. The only exception is if there is a serious and immediate safety concern — in that case, our peer supporters follow a safety protocol designed to keep you safe, not to get you in trouble.
Absolutely. You don't commit to anything by reaching out. Drop into one support circle and decide from there. Try one Walkabout session. There's no expectation of continuity — though many people do keep coming back.
No. We don't ask for a diagnosis, and you don't need one to access any of our programs. Mental health is a spectrum, and many people who struggle significantly have never been formally diagnosed. That doesn't mean their experience is less real or that they don't deserve support.
We currently offer services primarily in English, with some French-language capacity. If English or French is a barrier, please email us and we'll do our best to find a workable solution, including phone interpretation services for initial calls.