QEH Neonatal Intensive Care Unit – Peer Family Mentorship Program

As part of the QEH Neonatal Intensive Care Unit’s approach to family-integrated care, the Peer Family Mentorship Program is designed to provide NICU families with connection to mentors with lived experience who offer valuable emotional support to new parents, helping them process and navigate their own NICU journey.

Peer family mentors create a safe space for families to share their experiences, offer helpful tips, and foster a supportive community of hope for NICU families.

What are the benefits of peer family mentorship?

Families supported by peer family mentors can feel more comfortable spending time in the NICU interacting with their baby. Studies have also shown that peer support programs in NICUs benefit families by: 

• Increasing confidence and self-esteem 
• Increasing comfort interacting with health care professionals 
• Decreasing stress, feelings of isolation, and symptoms of anxiety/depression
• Improving coping abilities
• Increasing access to strategies and resources to parent a baby in the NICU

When will this program be available to Island families?

It is anticipated that the NICU Peer Family Mentorship Program will be offered in early 2025.

The NICU is currently recruiting peer family mentors to the program. Once recruited and mentor training is complete, NICU families will be connected with the program. 

Who are peer family mentors?

Mentors are families/parents who previously had a newborn in the NICU. With a similar lived experience, mentors understand what NICU families are going through. They are a valuable resource and can share their experiences, answer questions, provide practical tips, and be a listening ear for current NICU families/parents. 

What qualities should a peer family mentor have?

Those interested in being a peer family mentor should:

• Have and be willing to share their personal NICU-related experience
• Have effective communication skills, including the ability to actively listen and understand others
• Be compassionate, empathetic, and caring
• Be respectful of others’ perspectives and experiences
• Have good self-awareness
• Can maintain others’ privacy and confidentiality

How do I become a peer family mentor?

If you are interested in being a peer family mentor, contact:

Julie Fitzpatrick-Hopkin
Clinical Social Worker
QEH Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
jfitzpatrick-hopkin@ihis.org