Cadernos Brasileiros de Saúde Mental, ISSN 2595-2420, Florianópolis, v.13, n.35, p.162-168, 2021 “I CAN TELL SHE LOVES ME”: STORY OF A PEER SUPPORT RELATIONSHIP “Eu posso te contar que ela me ama”: história de uma relação de apoio de pares Pauline Bernard 1 Bridgett Williamson 2 Thomas Wexler 3 Shannon Smith 4 Billy Bromage 5 ____________________ Artigo encaminhado: 30/08/2020 Artigo aceito para publicação: 30/03/2021 ABSTRACT: Peer support has proven its unique role and efficacy in the recovery process of people with mental health and substance use challenges. This narrative explores elements of a peer support relationship, through the eyes of both someone receiving and someone providing that support, within the context of community- based mental health interventions inspired by the citizenship framework of care. The interviewees highlight the personal impacts of the relationship on each person in the dyad and provide a discrete example of the potentiality of peer support work that is practiced outside of the formal mental health system and embedded in the community. Keywords: Narrative. Peer Support Relationship. Mental Health. Substance Use. Citizenship Framework of Care. RESUMO: O apoio dos pares provou seu papel único e sua eficácia no processo de recovery de pessoas com transtorno mental e uso de dependência química. Esta narrativa apresenta informações de uma relação de apoio entre pares, através dos olhos de quem recebe e de quem oferece esse apoio, através de intervenções e cuidados em saúde mental de base comunitária baseados nos princípios de cidadania. Os entrevistados destacam como os relacionamentos pessoais impactam cada pessoa no grupo ao compartilhar um exemplo honesto da 1 PhD, Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Program for Recovery and Community Health. E-mail: pauline.bernard@yale.edu 2 Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Program for Recovery and Community Health. E-mail: bridgett.williamson@yale.edu 3 Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Program for Recovery and Community Health. E-mail: thomaswexler360@gmail.com 4 Member of Focus Act Connect Every-Day. E-mail: 72smith.sc@gmail.com 5 PhD, Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Program for Recovery and Community Health and Connecticut Mental Health Center. E-mail: billy.bromage@yale.edu