Peer support services: state of the workforce-state of the field in the USA

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 168-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Sally Rogers
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Support Services ◽  
Central Component ◽  
Self Disclosure ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Peer Support Services ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Peer Specialists ◽  
Core Conditions

Purpose Peer support and other consumer-provided services have burgeoned within the USA during the past 30 years and are now a central component of mental health services nationally. However, their growth has been uneven and somewhat dependent on state initiatives, policies, and funding. Recent programs have matured along myriad paths, resulting in a variety of program typologies, service structures, and funding streams, but with common values, missions, and principles. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach The landscape of peer specialist services in the USA, as well as innovations afoot, is reviewed. The empirical information that speaks to the efficacy of peer support and the need to better understand the mechanisms by which it is effective is described. Findings Although peer support has grown exponentially across the USA, its growth has been uneven. Evidence suggests that peer specialists experience role ambiguity within many existing programs and systems. Though the empirical evidence for peer services has grown, research has been most favorable for manualized, group interventions. There is still a need to better understand how individual peer support is beneficial and effective, and how individual peer support can best be utilized to promote the best outcomes for those served. Research limitations/implications In order for the workforce of peer support specialists to continue to grow and for services to be responsive and innovative, we need to better understand the mechanisms by which peer support is beneficial and how it can be structured and delivered to promote the best outcomes for those served. The “core conditions” of helping relationships promulgated decades ago by Rogers along with research on self-disclosure may be useful frameworks for understanding and researching the effectiveness of peer support. Practical implications More research is needed to better understand the effectiveness of peer support services and how best to insure that they are well-integrated into the mental health programs and systems in which they serve. Originality/value There is a need to understand why peer support is effective and how best to sustain peer specialists in their roles within the mental health system.

An update on the growing evidence base for peer support

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 161-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chyrell Bellamy ◽  
Timothy Schmutte ◽  
Larry Davidson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Support Services ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Current Evidence Base ◽  
Peer Support Services

Purpose As peer support services have become increasingly used in mental health settings as a recovery-oriented practice, so has the body of published research on this approach to care. The purpose of this paper is to provide an update on the current evidence base for peer support for adults with mental illness in two domains: mental health and recovery, and physical health and wellness. Design/methodology/approach To provide a robust, non-redundant, and up-to-date review, first the authors searched for meta-analyses and systematic reviews. Second, the authors found individual studies not included in any of the reviews. Findings Peer services are generally equally effective to services provided by non-peer paraprofessionals on traditional clinical outcomes. Although some studies found peer services to be effective at reducing hospitalization rates and symptom severity, as a whole, the current evidence base is confounded by heterogeneity in programmatic characteristics and methodological shortcomings. On the other hand, the evidence is stronger for peer support services having more of a positive impact on levels of hope, empowerment, and quality of life. Research limitations/implications In addition to the need for further high-quality research on peer support in mental and physical health domains, the authors also question whether measures of hope, empowerment, and integration into the community are more relevant to recovery than traditional clinical outcomes. Originality/value This paper provides an original, robust, and up-to-date review of the evidence for peer services.

scholarly journals Capturing the value of peer support: measuring recovery-oriented services

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 180-187
Author(s):  
Stacey L. Barrenger ◽  
Victoria Stanhope ◽  
Emma Miller
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Support Services ◽  
Outcome Measurement ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Evaluation Approach ◽  
The People ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Peer Support Services

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the gap between recovery-oriented processes and clinical outcomes in peer support, an exemplar of recovery-oriented services, and offer suggestions for bridging this gap. Design/methodology/approach This viewpoint is a brief review of literature on peer support services and gaps in outcome measurement towards building an evidence base for recovery-oriented services. Findings Clinical outcomes like hospitalizations or symptoms remain a focus of research, practice and policy in recovery-oriented services and contribute to a mixed evidence base for peer support services, in which recovery-oriented outcomes like empowerment, self-efficacy and hopefulness have more evidentiary support. One approach is to identify the theoretical underpinnings of peer support services and the corresponding change mechanisms in models that would make these recovery-oriented outcomes mediators or process outcomes. A better starting point is to consider which outcomes are valued by the people who use services and develop an evaluation approach according to those stated goals. User driven measurement approaches and more participatory types of research can improve both the quality and impact of health and mental health services. Originality/value This viewpoint provides a brief review of peer support services and the challenges of outcome measurement in establishing an evidence base and recommends user driven measurement as a starting point in evaluation of recovery-oriented services.

scholarly journals A qualitative longitudinal study of the first UK Dual Diagnosis Anonymous (DDA), an integrated peer-support programme for concurrent disorders

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 151-167
Author(s):  
Raffaella Margherita Milani ◽  
Keisha Nahar ◽  
Daniel Ware ◽  
Alan Butler ◽  
Sean Roush ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Dual Diagnosis ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Recovery Process ◽  
Concurrent Disorders ◽  
Addictive Disorders ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Usa ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Dual Diagnosis Anonymous (DDA) is a peer-led programme developed in the USA, which aims to address mental and addictive disorders in an integrated manner. This study is part of a mixed-methods evaluation of the first DDA pilot in the UK, and the purpose of this study is to explore the impact and mechanism of change of the programme through the perspective of DDA attendees, facilitators and the funding commissioners. Design/methodology/approach Six DDA members were interviewed three times over a period of 12 months, the facilitators were interviewed twice and the commissioner was interviewed once. The qualitative longitudinal data were analysed using a trajectory thematic analysis. Findings DDA attendance was perceived to have had a positive impact on five main areas: acceptance of self, of others and from others; social functioning; self-development; recovery progression; and feeling of hope. The possibility of addressing both mental health and addiction at the same time was a key factor in the recovery process. The facilitators observed that DDA had contributed to integrate members into employment and education, while the commissioner stressed the importance of joint commissioning and sustainability. Originality/value The longitudinal approach provided a unique insight into the recovery process of DDA members. Being able to address the mental health as well as the substance use problems was considered to be a fundamental strength of DDA in comparison to the single purpose peer-support fellowships.

scholarly journals Combining technical and expert-by-experience knowledge in the quest for personal recovery from bipolar disorder: a qualitative study

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Samson Tse ◽  
Winnie W. Y. Yuen ◽  
Greg Murray ◽  
Larry Davidson ◽  
Queenie Lai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Bipolar Disorder ◽  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Support Services ◽  
Role Models ◽  
Peer Support Services ◽  
The Way

Abstract Background Knowledge construction is a form of communication in which people can work individually or collaboratively. Peer support services have been adopted by the public psychiatric and social welfare service as a regular form of intervention since 2015 in Hong Kong. Peer-based services can help people with bipolar disorder (BD) deal with the implications of the diagnosis, the way in which individuals with BD receive treatment, and the lifestyle changes that take place as a result of the diagnosis. Through a qualitative paradigm, this study aims to examine how individuals with BD use technical and expert-by-experience knowledge. Methods A total of 32 clients of mental health services were recruited from hospitals, Integrated Community Centers for Mental Wellness, and non-governmental organizations. They participated in semi-structured individual interviews. All interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis with the aid of NVivo. The findings were verified by peer researchers. Results Three main themes are presented in this article, including how clients made sense of the knowledge provided by mental health professionals and peer support workers (PSWs), critical perspectives about peer support services, and the way in which the services are more than knowledge transfer alone. Participants generally indicated that knowledge sharing revolved around three experiences: mood changes, medications, and sense of hope. Nevertheless, an empathic understanding of the clients’ experience was more important than the sharing of knowledge. Some clients perceived medication as the chief means to recovery, so PSWs were not useful for them. However, PSW role models had an effect beyond mere knowledge transmission, as they could promote clients’ pursuit of functional recovery goals. Conclusions The present study has improved our understanding of knowledge sharing between clients with BD and health professionals or PSWs, which should take place in an empathic and hope-instilling manner. It has also emphasized the value of the presence of a role model who can speak convincingly with clients to facilitate recovery. The present findings can be used to improve the care of people with BD by generating important guidance with regard to enhancing the knowledge exchange between clients and health practitioners.

scholarly journals Exploring Peer Support Services for Youth Experiencing Multiple Health and Social Challenges in Canada: A Hybrid Realist-Participatory Evaluation Model

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 160940692199568
Author(s):  
Tanya Halsall ◽  
Mardi Daley ◽  
Lisa Hawke ◽  
Joanna Henderson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Support Services ◽  
Evaluation Model ◽  
Participatory Evaluation ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Unique Contribution ◽  
Youth Services ◽  
Canadian Youth ◽  
Peer Support Services

The Canadian youth services system is fragmented with less than one third of youth accessing the mental health services they need. Experts have called for systems transformation that will increase the integration of youth services and take advantage of complementary services, such as peer supports. Further, researchers have suggested that there is a need to identify the unique contribution and underlying mechanisms that support client recovery within youth peer support interventions. This paper describes the steps taken to implement a hybrid realist and participatory evaluation examining peer support services for youth (14–26 years old) with mental health, physical health and/or substance use challenges. We describe the procedures followed to engage peers in the design of the study and how this was integrated with a realist approach. We also provide a detailed description of the related adaptations to the methods applied within the second stage of the study. Lessons learned through the integration of the two methods are provided as well as potential implications for the findings and related research.

IMPORTANCE OF ‘PEER-SUPPORT’ SERVICES FROM A MENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVE

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neeti Goutam
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Support Services ◽  
Mental Health Policy ◽  
World Health ◽  
Peer Support Services ◽  
Mental Health Challenges ◽  
National Mental Health ◽  
Health Organization

According to the estimates by the World Health Organization, the global burden of mental illness is likely to increase to 15% by 2020. (WHO, a call for action by World Health Ministers, 2001) Further, one in four people is affected by any kind of mental disorder. In India, where 150 million people need mental care, only 30 million are being treated or taken care of. (National Mental Health Survey of India, 2015) There is a pressing need for immediate interventions on the behalf of academicians, researchers, government and policy makers. India, where there is a dearth of medical workers especially in Mental Heathcare, our understanding of it becomes more critical. Our National Mental Health Policy, 2014 and the Mental Health Care Act, 2017 address the current mental health challenges of people.Addressing mental health issues through peer support is one of the best ways to cope several mental health challenges. Services or experiences are there shared by people who had any kind of mental illness in the past. Peer support services can help in breaking down stigmas and social isolation of the patients. The paper will explains both the global and Indian trend of peer support services in mental health. Further, it will also try to speculate different mental disorders and their targeted peer support services. It will also question the viability of having peer support services in India where there are social, economic challenges in accepting and treating mental illness.

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