This was a two-day peer support group session designed to help students develop simple emotional support skills so they could show up more meaningfully for friends or peers in distress. Rather than treating comfort as something instinctive, the session invited participants to rethink how they support others and to reflect on what they themselves need during difficult moments.
Day 1 focused on understanding what holding space means in practice. Through discussions and activities, participants explored different comforting styles and tools, and reflected on how comfort needs can vary from person to person. By the end of the day, participants had practiced key support tools and developed a clearer understanding of why creating a safe, non-judgmental space for others matters.
Day 2 shifted the focus inward. The session began with grounding and immediate response techniques, practiced first on oneself before extending them to others. Participants then explored the important distinction between offering support and taking on responsibility for someone else's pain, and reflected on the value of maintaining honest boundaries while still showing up with care. The session closed with a letter-writing activity, where participants wrote to a loved one or to themselves, followed by a friendship bracelet-making session where they chose beads and charms as a small reminder that they too deserve care.