Peer Support - Talking Stick

What is peer support?

Whether you’re going through a difficult time or need a safe space to talk, Talking Stick Chat is an anonymous destination for Indigenous youth and adults to speak – and be heard. Through an anonymous text-only chat platform, we connect Indigenous people with culture-based peer support.

While Talking Stick’s Peer Advocates are not health professionals or crisis counsellors, they can connect you with those resources and services in or near your community. If you are in immediate danger, please contact 9-1-1.

Talking Stick Chat is a safe space to talk about:
» Mental Health and Wellness
» Anxiety, Worry, Stress
» Depression, Loneliness
» Trauma
» Grief and Loss
» School, Work, Relationships
» Violence, Anger, Bullying
» Any other topic you choose.

What is peer support?

Whether you’re going through a difficult time or need a safe space to talk, Talking Stick Chat is an anonymous destination for Indigenous youth and adults to speak – and be heard. Through an anonymous text-only chat platform, we connect Indigenous people with culture-based peer support.

While Talking Stick’s Peer Advocates are not health professionals or crisis counsellors, they can connect you with those resources and services in or near your community. If you are in immediate danger, please contact 9-1-1.

Talking Stick Chat is a safe space to talk about:
» Mental Health and Wellness
» Anxiety, Worry, Stress
» Depression, Loneliness
» Trauma
» Grief and Loss
» School, Work, Relationships
» Violence, Anger, Bullying
» Any other topic you choose.

How it works

Every chat is always anonymous. Getting started is easy: there is no login, no password, no information to share. Simply launch the chat and connect privately to an Indigenous Peer Advocate who is ready to listen without judgment.

The app and website are powered by Indigenous Peer Advocates; real people who live in your own community or those nearby. Peer Advocates are not crisis counsellors or healthcare professionals, they are people like you who have been trained to listen anonymously with compassion, respect, and humility.

As a “Guest” of the Talking Stick chat, you remain anonymous and no chats are ever saved or shared. As soon as the chat ends it is automatically deleted from your phone or computer. It’s just a real text-conversation with a real person. There is no judgment, only support.

FAQ

Who can use Talking Stick?

The app is all about connecting Indigenous people with others who understand their language, culture, and lived experiences. It’s like having a conversation with someone who gets you and knows where you’re coming from. But it’s always anonymous, so anyone can use it without worrying about their identity being revealed. If you need someone to talk to or listen to you, our peers are here for you!

Is this really anonymous?

As a “Guest” of the Talking Stick App, your identity is always anonymous, and nothing from your chat is saved or shared. As soon as the chat ends, the chat history is automatically deleted from your phone or computer. It’s just a real conversation with a real Indigenous person. There is no judgment, only support.

There is no login, no password, no need to sign up or share your email. Click on “Chat now” to be connected to someone.

What is a Peer Advocate?

Peer Advocates are from Indigenous communities who want to give back and provide support to others who might be struggling. They are not health professionals or licensed counsellors. Peer Advocates must be at least 18 years old and be Indigenous.

Peer Advocates will NEVER judge, shame, or criticize you, and they will never tell you what to think, or what to do. Peer Advocates will never ask your name or know who you are. They are trained to listen, provide comfort, and offer you a safe place to feel heard.