Peer support workshops for women

Planning and development of a support intervention

Here is some practical information about the workshops in which we collaborate with the target audience to plan future research offering support for women with lived experience of forced migration and mental ill-health living in Sweden.

With mental ill-health we mean for example feeling down or depressed for longer periods, having difficulties with sleep, experiencing anxiety, having difficulties to relax, and lack of concentration.

We will begin all workshop sessions with a lunch which we will pay for (30 minutes, between 12:00 and 12:30 hrs). Refreshments and fika will be served during the sessions.

All participants are paid a salary of 1 500 SEK before taxes after attending each workshop.

The workshops will take place at our university campus in Flemingsberg, Stockholm.

Here you find directions how to get to our campus.

In order to attend the workshops you need to be a woman over 18 years of age with lived experience of forced migration and mental ill-health. You need to have a work permit in Sweden.

Dates and times for the upcoming workshops

First workshop
Date: 05 May, 2026
Time: 12:00-17:00 hrs
Topics:

Why do women with lived experience of forced migration and mental ill-health need peer support?
In what ways can mental health and wellbeing be improved through peer support?

Second workshop
Date: 19 May, 2026
Time: 12:00-17:00 hrs
Topics:

What topics and activities should be addressed through peer support intervention?
What materials and procedures are needed for the intervention?

Third workshop
Date: 26 May, 2026
Time: 12:00-17:00 hrs
Topics:

Who will provide the intervention?
What background, experience and qualifications is needed for leaders?
How should we prepare leaders of peer support sessions?
What support is needed for the leaders?

Fourth workshop
Date: 09 June, 2026
Time: 12:00-17:00 hrs
Topics:

How will the intervention be conducted?
How many participants should be in sessions?

Fifth workshop
Date: 01 September, 2026
Time: 12:00-17:00 hrs
Topics:

What location is suitable for the peer support sessions?
What is important when considering a peer support location?

Sixth workshop
Date: 15 September, 2026
Time: 12:00-17:00 hrs
Topics:

When should the sessions be offered?
How long should each sessions last?
How often should the sessions be conducted?

Seventh workshop
Date: 29 September, 2026
Time: 12:00-17:00 hrs
Topics:

Are any tailoring needed for the intervention?

Eighth workshop
Date: 13 October, 2026
Time: 12:00-17:00 hrs
Topics:

Summary of prior workshops, moving forward.
Closing session.

Who are responsible for the workshops?

The workshops will be conducted together with a team of women, people with lived experience of forced migration, health professionals, researchers, and a PhD student. All with genuine interest in understanding how support for women with lived experience of forced migration and mental ill-health can be improved. All involved in the workshops work under condifentiality and only people who work in the project attend the sessions.

We are looking forward to meeting you!

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Tommy Carlsson

About us who lead the workshops

Stella

Hello! I am a research assistant and I work in the project at The Swedish Red Cross University. I am a woman with lived experience of forced migration myself. I look forward to meeting you.

Rogers

As a PhD student working on the project, I joined this project with a strong conviction that improving the mental health and wellbeing of forced migrant women is a shared societal responsibility. I believe that research focused on women’s wellbeing must be grounded in respect, ethical collaboration, and deep listening. My role is to contribute rigorous, evidence-based research while ensuring that women’s voices guide every step of the process. Through this peer support, I will be committed to supporting the co-creation of a meaningful, accessible peer support that centers women’s experiences and contributes to reducing mental health for women with experience of forced migration. That said, I am looking forward to being part of the workshop and getting to know everyone.

Hanna

Hi, my name is Hanna.

My profession is a specialist nurse in psychiatry, and over the past few years I’ve had the privilege of working closely with people affected by trauma. Those experiences have shaped me deeply, both professionally and personally. My passion lies in women’s health and empowerment, and currently I’m working as a research assistant on this project. I’m looking forward to meet everyone!

Tommy

Hi! My name is Tommy and I am the leader of this project. I started this project because I want to build a better society where everyone feel included and where people can get the support they need. In my profession I am an intensive care nurse and a midwife. I am an associate professor at The Swedish Red Cross University. Please contact me if you want to discuss anything or want more information about the workshops! I really look forward to participating in the workshops and get to know everyone.