A day in the life of a peer support worker: beginnings

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 169-173
Author(s):  
Emma Watson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Support Worker ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Difficult Situations ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide an insight into the day-to-day challenges and experiences of a peer support worker. Design/methodology/approach – A reflective account of the experience of a first meeting with a peer, offering support through a series of difficult situations. Findings – Reflections are offered on the importance of relationships and overcoming feelings of disillusionment with mental health services. Originality/value – This paper adds to the small number of accounts of the experiences of Peer Support Working in mental health services and as such is highly original.

A day in the life of a peer support worker: re-entry

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 149-152
Author(s):  
Emma Watson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Narrative Approach ◽  
Personal Recovery ◽  
Support Worker ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Returning To Work

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to share the experiences and reflections of a peer support worker over the course of a day working in mental health services. Design/methodology/approach – A narrative approach has been taken to structure reflections based on the experience of returning to work after taking sick leave. Findings – Reflections are offered based on the process of returning to work and the way that this experience sheds light on personal recovery. Originality/value – This paper adds to the small number of accounts of the experiences of peer support working in mental health services and as such is highly original.

A day in the life of a peer support worker: the ward reviews

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 68-72
Author(s):  
Emma Watson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Narrative Approach ◽  
Support Worker ◽  
Content Type

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to share the experiences and reflections of a Peer Support Worker over the course of a day working within mental health services. Design/methodology/approach – A narrative approach has been taken to structure reflections based on the experience of attending a series of reviews on an acute mental health ward. Findings – The experience of attending ward reviews creates reflections based on how this system affects and challenges both those who are served by it and those work within it. Originality/value – This paper adds to the small number of accounts of the experiences of Peer Support Working in mental health services and as such is highly original.

Supporting transitions in child and adolescent mental health services: a rough guide to introducing peer support

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 222-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marissa Lambert ◽  
Rachael Matharoo ◽  
Emma Watson ◽  
Helen Oldknow
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Young People ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Pilot Project ◽  
Adolescent Mental Health ◽  
Child And Adolescent ◽  
Support Worker ◽  
Content Type

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to share the lessons learnt during the implementation of a Peer Support Worker (PSW) pilot project within Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). The project aimed to reduce the barriers experienced by young people and carers during the process of transition between child and Adult Mental Health Services (AMHS). Design/methodology/approach – The paper combines reflections of staff, PSWs and trainers in order to share the lessons that may be taken from this project. This includes a rough guide for those hoping to employ PSWs to support transitions. Findings – The PSWs provided the vehicle to support the process of transition by empowering young people and their carers to use their strengths to facilitate a hopeful and timely transition. Recommendations regarding support for peers, staff and the organisation during the process of training and employing peers are discussed. Research limitations/implications – The paper provides a purely reflective account of the pilot project. These reflections may provide guidance for others wishing to develop peer support positions within CAMHS so that an evidence base for the effectiveness of peer support within transitions may continue to grow. Originality/value – Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust are the first NHS Trust in the UK to employ PSWs specifically to support transitions between CAMHS and AMHS. This paper builds on the work of Oldknow et al. (2014) to highlight the first attempts to use peer support to support transitions.

“Walking wounded or wounded healer?” Does personal experience of mental health problems help or hinder mental health practice? A review of the literature

2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Conchar ◽  
Julie Repper
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Personal Experience ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Wounded Healer ◽  
Content Type

Purpose – A systematic review of the literature on “wounded healers” was undertaken to identify, define and interpret the term and its application within the mental health environment. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – Eight key medical/social sciences databases were interrogated. In total, 835 papers were identified in the systematic database search and abstracts were obtained for each to determine whether they met the inclusion criteria. In total, 237 sources were retrieved for critical reading, to assess relevance and value to the review, and 125 documents were subsequently included. Through thematic analysis a number of themes and sub themes were identified Findings – The archetypal image of the wounded healer originates in ancient mythology and crosses many cultures. There are many interpretations and applications of the belief that having healed their own wounds a person is in a better position to heal others, however, the evidence to support this is not so robust. Of more direct relevance to contemporary practice are reports of supporting staff with mental health problems to make a contribution to mental health services, most recently through the employment of peer support workers. Originality/value – As peer support workers are increasingly being employed in mental health services, it is helpful to consider the many existing staff who bring personal experience of mental health problems. This paper explores the evidence that their lived experience makes a difference to the way that they work and considers their employment support needs.

scholarly journals Evaluating the Prosper peer-led peer support network: a participatory, coproduced evaluation

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 80-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steve Gillard ◽  
Rhiannon Foster ◽  
Kati Turner
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Social Movement ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Support Network ◽  
Content Type ◽  
One To One

Purpose – A range of one-to-one, group and online approaches to peer support are increasingly complementing formal mental health service delivery. Evidence is emerging of the potential benefits and challenges of peer support for individuals, communities and organisations. There is more limited evidence describing peer-led peer support networks. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – In an evaluation of Prosper, a peer-led, peer support network and social movement, members of the network played a participatory role in the design, conduct and interpretative work of the evaluation. An online survey, one-to-one interviews and group discussions were used. Findings – The evaluation describes an evolving network with planning and development meetings constituting core activity for many members alongside a monthly training programme supporting people to set up their own activities. There were strong shared values, and consensus that Prosper could strengthen social networks, improve individual well-being and impact on the way people used mental health services. Challenges were identified around feelings of uncertainty and vulnerability in relation to involvement in the network. Research limitations/implications – The participatory nature of the evaluation adds value to the learning offered. This was a descriptive evaluation; potential is indicated for the more formal modelling and testing of peer-led network and social movement initiatives. Practical implications – Clarity is needed on the relationship of the network to statutory mental health services – specifically around taking on a “service provider” role – and on the advantages and challenges of a “hybrid” organisational model that combines traditional, hierarchical and new distributed forms of leadership and structure. Social implications – Prosper demonstrated potential to create a sense of common culture based on sharing lived experience and mutual peer support, providing an alternative to the traditional culture of mental health services. Originality/value – This paper offers wider learning derived from evaluation of a highly original initiative in peer leadership, network structure and interface with statutory mental health services.

Research watch: what really helps recovery in relation to severe mental health difficulties?

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-12
Author(s):  
Sue Holttum
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Support Service ◽  
Health Condition ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Inpatient Settings ◽  
Mental Health Difficulties

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine three recent papers on mental health services and how they support recovery following a diagnosis of a severe mental health condition. Design/methodology/approach A search was carried out for recent papers on mental health and recovery. The author selected three papers that seemed to advance understanding of not only whether, but also how recovery of a meaningful life may be best supported in mental health services. Findings One paper suggested how staff were able to support service users’ personal goals and focus on recovery in acute inpatient settings, and what got in the way. The author suggests practical ways to address the barriers. A second paper reported the testing of a new model for supporting staff in primary and secondary care to work together so that service users with a diagnosis of bipolar or schizophrenia were better supported to work towards valued goals. A third paper reviewed 40 studies of how people can experience positive change after a first diagnosis of psychosis, and how change happened. Originality/value By studying the issues in detail, all three papers show how improved support for recovery and inclusion can be implemented against the backdrop of many years of service shortcomings.

A day in the life of a peer support worker: a visit

2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 59-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Watson
Keyword(s):  
Peer Support ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Support Worker ◽  
Content Type ◽  
One To One ◽  
Narrative Account ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide an insight into a day in the life of a peer support worker (PSW). Design/methodology/approach – Narrative account of a visit written from the perspective of a PSW. Findings – Reflective account, no findings presented. Originality/value – An original viewpoint from the perspective of a PSW in a one-to-one setting, very little has previously been published using this approach.

Maximising resilience resources for mental healthcare staff

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-53
Author(s):  
Nicole S. Gevaux ◽  
Stephanie Petty
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Card Sorting ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mental Health Settings ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate optimal resources to promote resilience in staff working in inpatient mental health services. The study also provides an example of card sorting methodology used as an efficient way to identify the most helpful resources for resilience. Design/methodology/approach In total, 25 clinical staff participated in the study. A preliminary focus group and brief literature search identified resources used in two tasks. Two card sorting tasks identified resources participants found helpful vs unhelpful and abundant vs scarce, and resources they would find valuable to use more often. Findings The results indicate that most resources helpful to resilience and available to staff were personal resources (relating to positive outlooks or ways of working), whereas resources valuable to resilience but scarce in the working environment were organisational resources (relating to management or social workplace culture). Resources found to not be valuable to resilience were largely personal tangible resources (e.g. smoking, massages). Practical implications The findings and method may be generalisable to other mental health services, giving insight into promoting resilience within individuals and organisations. This information could serve as guidelines to streamline the allocation of organisational resources to best promote resilience across various mental health settings. Originality/value Staff resilience to working in mental health services contributes to high-quality, sustainable patient care. This study provides further insight into how personal and organisational resources are both vital to resilience in staff working in highly challenging environments.

Help yourself to our staff kitchen: a peer worker’s reflections on microaggressions

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 167-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aimee Sinclair
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Personal Narrative ◽  
Time Sharing ◽  
Support Worker ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Academic Literature ◽  
Worker Experience ◽  
Points Of Resistance ◽  
Insight Into

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide insight into the sanist microaggressions that peer workers face working in mental health and proposes ways in which peer workers and institutions may begin to challenge sanist practices within the sector.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is written as a personal narrative. It explores a “moment” in the life of the author as a peer support worker.FindingsPeer workers are often faced with sanist microaggressions on the job which can significantly affect peer workers’ capacity over time. Sharing our stories, identifying points of resistance and working collectively to challenge microaggressions are important to peer worker survival within the mental health system. Organisations that train or employ peer workers should be aware of sanist microaggressions and learn how to strategically respond to them.Originality/valueThe paper documents the experiences of the author. There is limited academic literature documenting peer worker experience of microaggressions.

How does enforcement of smoke free grounds in acute mental health settings sit with “recovery” focused practice? A personal view

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-55
Author(s):  
Di Hurley
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Personal View ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mental Health Settings ◽  
Narrative Account

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to outline, from the perspective of someone involved in smoking cessation, concerns about the intention to make all hospital grounds “smoke free”. Design/methodology/approach – This paper takes the form of a narrative account. Findings – Reflective account offering a personal point of view – no findings presented. Originality/value – An important viewpoint relating to an issue of great concern to many people working in and using mental health services.

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