About the Peer Support Program

• Our Mission and Objectives

  Our Mission

  To cultivate a culture of compassion, resilience, and psychological safety across UConn Health. Through peer connection, we work to decrease occupational distress and burnout, support emotional recovery, and reinforce a strong, connected professional community. 
  
  

  Our Objectives

  Enhance Emotional Wellbeing – Provide a safe, supportive environment for sharing experiences and coping strategies. 
  
  Reduce Burnout – Offer tools and resources to manage stress and maintain wellbeing. 
  
  Foster Professional Development – Encourage ongoing learning, collaboration, and mutual support among peers. 

• About Peer Support Interventions

  Our Peer Support Program is built on the UConn Health Tiers of Support Model, designed to ensure every colleague can access the right level of care and connection when facing a difficult experience.
  
  

  Tier 1 –Departmental Support

  Immediate reassurance and understanding from local supervisors, managers, or peers who know your work environment and can provide a supportive, one-on-one connection.

  Tier 2 – Trained Peer Support

  Structured one-on-one caring moments facilitated by trained peer supporters, tailored to the level of support each staff member requires.

  Tier 3 – Referral Networks

  Direct connection to professional resources when deeper support is required, including the Employee Assistance Program, Spiritual Services, the Office of Professional Well-Being, the Mood & Anxiety Clinic, General Counsel, the Office of Diversity and Equity, and the Ombuds Office.

  This three-tiered structure makes it easy to find help at the level that feels right for you — from a quick conversation with a trusted colleague to professional services when needed. Our approach is adapted from the Mayo Clinic HELP Program and other nationally recognized peer support models.

• Who We Support

  • UConn Health faculty, advanced practice providers, residents/fellows, nurses, clinical and nonclinical employees 
  • Role matched when possible (e.g., physician to physician, nurse to nurse)
  • Currently, this is a pilot program available to the OB/GYN Department and Inpatient Medical Units. 

• When to Reach Out

  • Distressing clinical events, patient death, or medical error 
  • Moral distress, difficult team dynamics, or challenging conversations 
  • Burnout, fatigue, or persistent work-related stress
  • Personal challenges affecting your professional role 

• Benefits of Peer Support

  • Reduces feelings of isolation after stressful events
  • Encourages reflection and professional growth
  • Enhances coping skills and resilience
  • Strengthens team culture and mutual trust
  • Connects employees to additional institutional and community resources when needed 

• Confidentiality and Boundaries

  • Peer support is confidential and separate from performance management
  • Not psychotherapy and not a substitute for medical or mental health care
  • Safety concerns (risk of harm to self/others) may require escalation 

• Become a Peer Supporter

  • Open to clinical and nonclinical employees
  • Training offered several times per year: reflective listening, psychological first aid, resilience skills
  • Email:peersupportgroup@uchc.edu

• Contacts

  peersupportgroup@uchc.edu

  Jason A. Carrese, DO
  Assistant Professor of Medicine
  General Medicine
  carrese@uchc.edu

  Dyanne Tappin, MD
  Assistant Professor of Medicine
  Obstetrics and Gynecology
  tappin@uchc.edu