Peer supporters can reinforce the discovery of strengths and abilities by supporting the individual to recognise and embrace their uniqueness.

Strengths come in different forms and can be related to personal characteristics; skills and abilities; communities and cultures; interests; values and aspirations.

People can be encouraged to speak more positively about strengths and abilities and less about deficits. The peer supporter can achieve this by asking appropriate questions such as:

• How did you get this far? What helped you survive this? What did you learn?
• Who helped you? What did they do that was helpful? Why did they help you?
• What good things do people say about you?
• What things about yourself or your life give you the most happiness
• What are your best memories?

Through this process the peer supporter is trying to assist the individual to re-author their personal experience, where they are encouraged to look for elements of wellness, achievements and strengths instead of seeing themselves in terms of illness and disability.