With the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic still being felt by many people across Australia, GROW has launched an online peer-to-peer resilience program called Growing Resilience.

This innovative new program based on our existing Grow Program content is an early intervention, low intensity online resilience building program run over six-sessions. The program is designed to help with the immediate mental health impacts of life events including COVID 19, social, emotional and financial hardship, and aims to educate participants by building individual resilience.

One of the key issues highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic is the importance of community in combating mental ill-health experienced in isolation. Growing Resilience is a community of peers who can assist people to work through their problems while enjoying the benefits of a caring community.

We’ve developed a three-tiered strategy in response to COVID-19 and natural disasters. The three elements include the Growing Resilience Program, a podcast series and an online community forum which are all based on the GROW philosophy and intentional peer-to-peer support.

By working with a group of peers, people who attend the online Growing Resilience program will learn ways to deal with feelings they are experiencing during the pandemic and from other life-changing events. Participants will also gain a toolbox of practical skills to navigate their mental health issues.

GROW Australia has more than 60 years’ experience in evidence-based peer-to-peer support which has helped thousands of people to overcome and recover from mental ill-health. GROW’s services are available at no cost, require no diagnosis or referral and are available to anyone.

The Growing Resilience program will be evaluated by the University of Queensland Centre for Online Health with funding through Queensland Health COVID-19 grant funding.

For more information visit www.grow.org.au/growing-resilience