The IELTS Reading section is a crucial component of the test, assessing your ability to comprehend complex texts and extract relevant information. Today, we’ll focus on a topic that has gained significant attention in recent years: supporting mental health through peer support. This subject has appeared in various forms in past IELTS exams and, given its growing importance in society, is likely to feature again in future tests.
Based on our analysis of past IELTS exams and current trends, we predict that topics related to mental health support, particularly in educational and community settings, will continue to be relevant in upcoming tests. Let’s dive into a practice reading passage on this important subject.
Reading Passage
Peer Support: A Powerful Tool for Mental Health
Mental health has become a pressing concern in today’s fast-paced world, affecting people of all ages and backgrounds. While professional help is crucial, peer support has emerged as a powerful complementary approach to promoting mental well-being. This grassroots method of support has gained traction in various settings, from schools and universities to workplaces and communities.
Peer support is based on the principle that individuals who have faced similar challenges can offer unique insights and empathy to others going through comparable experiences. This approach creates a sense of connection and understanding that is often difficult to achieve in traditional therapeutic settings. By sharing their own stories and coping strategies, peer supporters can provide hope and practical advice to those struggling with mental health issues.
One of the key benefits of peer support is its accessibility. Unlike professional mental health services, which may have long waiting lists or high costs, peer support can often be accessed more readily and at little to no cost. This is particularly important for underserved populations or those hesitant to seek formal treatment due to stigma or cultural barriers.
In educational settings, peer support programs have shown promising results. Students trained as peer supporters learn valuable skills in active listening, empathy, and problem-solving. They become a first point of contact for their peers who may be experiencing stress, anxiety, or other mental health challenges. These programs not only provide immediate support but also help to create a more compassionate and supportive school environment.
Workplaces are another area where peer support is making a significant impact. Employee-led support groups and peer mentoring programs can help address work-related stress and promote overall well-being. These initiatives often lead to improved job satisfaction, reduced absenteeism, and a more positive workplace culture.
Community-based peer support groups, such as those for individuals recovering from addiction or coping with chronic illnesses, have long demonstrated the power of shared experiences in healing and recovery. These groups provide a safe space for individuals to share their struggles and triumphs, fostering a sense of belonging and mutual support.
However, it’s important to note that peer support is not a replacement for professional mental health care. Rather, it serves as a valuable complement to traditional treatments. Peer supporters are typically trained to recognize when an individual needs more specialized help and can guide them towards appropriate professional resources.
As the mental health landscape continues to evolve, the role of peer support is likely to grow. Its effectiveness in promoting recovery, reducing stigma, and building resilient communities makes it an invaluable tool in the broader mental health support ecosystem. By harnessing the power of shared experiences and mutual understanding, peer support offers a unique and powerful approach to supporting mental health in our increasingly complex world.
Peer support for mental health
Questions
True/False/Not Given
- Peer support is based on the idea that people with similar experiences can offer unique insights.
- Professional mental health services are always more effective than peer support.
- Peer support programs in schools help create a more compassionate environment.
- Workplace peer support initiatives always lead to increased productivity.
- Community-based peer support groups are only effective for addiction recovery.
- Peer supporters receive training to recognize when professional help is needed.
- Peer support is intended to replace traditional mental health treatments.
Multiple Choice
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According to the passage, one of the main advantages of peer support is:
A) Its high cost
B) Its accessibility
C) Its professional nature
D) Its focus on medication -
In educational settings, peer support programs:
A) Replace professional counseling services
B) Only benefit the peer supporters
C) Teach students valuable interpersonal skills
D) Are ineffective for addressing mental health issues -
The passage suggests that workplace peer support can lead to:
A) Increased work hours
B) Higher employee turnover
C) Improved job satisfaction
D) Reduced workplace safety
Matching Headings
Match the following headings to the correct paragraphs in the passage. There are more headings than paragraphs, so you will not use all of them.
- Paragraph 2
- Paragraph 4
- Paragraph 6
Headings:
A) The limits of peer support in professional settings
B) The principle behind peer support effectiveness
C) Peer support in educational environments
D) The financial benefits of peer support programs
E) Community-based peer support success stories
F) The role of technology in peer support
Short Answer Questions
Answer the following questions using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage for each answer.
- What type of skills do students learn when trained as peer supporters?
- In addition to stress, what two mental health challenges are mentioned that students may experience?
- What two positive outcomes are mentioned as a result of workplace peer support initiatives?
Answer Key and Explanations
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True – The passage states, “Peer support is based on the principle that individuals who have faced similar challenges can offer unique insights and empathy.”
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False – The passage suggests peer support complements professional services and doesn’t claim professional services are always more effective.
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True – The passage mentions that peer support programs in schools “help to create a more compassionate and supportive school environment.”
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Not Given – While the passage mentions positive outcomes of workplace peer support, it doesn’t specifically state that it always leads to increased productivity.
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False – The passage uses addiction recovery as an example but states that community-based peer support groups are for “individuals recovering from addiction or coping with chronic illnesses.”
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True – The passage states, “Peer supporters are typically trained to recognize when an individual needs more specialized help.”
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False – The passage clearly states, “peer support is not a replacement for professional mental health care.”
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B) Its accessibility – The passage mentions that peer support “can often be accessed more readily and at little to no cost.”
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C) Teach students valuable interpersonal skills – The passage states that students learn “valuable skills in active listening, empathy, and problem-solving.”
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C) Improved job satisfaction – The passage mentions that workplace peer support initiatives “often lead to improved job satisfaction.”
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B) The principle behind peer support effectiveness
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C) Peer support in educational environments
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E) Community-based peer support success stories
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Active listening
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Anxiety (and) other
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Job satisfaction, reduced absenteeism
Common Mistakes
When tackling a reading passage like this, students often make the following mistakes:
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Overlooking key qualifiers: Words like “often,” “may,” and “typically” are important in determining whether a statement is absolutely true or not.
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Making assumptions: Some students might assume that because peer support is presented positively, it’s meant to replace professional help. The passage clearly states this isn’t the case.
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Misinterpreting “Not Given” answers: Remember, if the information isn’t explicitly stated in the passage, even if it seems logical, the answer is “Not Given.”
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Failing to read the entire passage: Some answers require information from different parts of the text, so it’s crucial to read the whole passage carefully.
Vocabulary
Here are some challenging words from the passage:
- Traction (noun) – /ˈtrækʃən/ – Acceptance or popularity
- Complementary (adjective) – /ˌkɒmplɪˈmentəri/ – Combining in such a way as to enhance or emphasize each other’s qualities
- Empathy (noun) – /ˈempəθi/ – The ability to understand and share the feelings of another
- Stigma (noun) – /ˈstɪɡmə/ – A mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person
- Absenteeism (noun) – /ˌæbsənˈtiːɪzəm/ – The practice of regularly staying away from work or school without good reason
Grammar Points
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Comparative structures: “Unlike professional mental health services, which may have long waiting lists or high costs, peer support can often be accessed more readily and at little to no cost.”
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Present perfect tense: “Peer support has emerged as a powerful complementary approach to promoting mental well-being.”
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Passive voice: “These groups provide a safe space for individuals to share their struggles and triumphs, fostering a sense of belonging and mutual support.”
Tips for IELTS Reading Success
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Practice active reading: Underline key information and make brief notes as you read.
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Improve your vocabulary: Regularly learn new words and their contextual usage.
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Time management: Allocate your time wisely across all sections of the reading test.
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Practice, practice, practice: Regularly attempt full-length reading tests under timed conditions.
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Develop skimming and scanning skills: These are crucial for quickly locating specific information in the text.
Remember, success in IELTS Reading comes with consistent practice and a strategic approach. Focus on understanding the overall meaning of the passage while being attentive to specific details. By mastering these skills, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle any topic that appears in your IELTS Reading test, including important subjects like mental health support.
For more tips on improving your mental health knowledge and IELTS performance, check out our articles on how to support mental health in higher education and the role of education in promoting mental health.
