This review identifies a series of themes that are relevant to the development of peer support for users of mental health services. It looks at what might be called formalised peer support, that is, support provided by paid peer support workers (PSWs) with personal experience of mental illness to other people with experience of mental illness.
The report draws on literature relating to the effectiveness of peer support and peer-run services, and interviews with individuals and organisations that have experience or expertise in peer support services. It examines definitions and models of peer support, common aspects of successful peer support, issues of integration or collaboration of peer support with traditional mental health services and the needs of special populations. The review makes four recommendations.
Methodology
Literature search
In 2004 the Mental Health Commission sponsored a systematic review on the effectiveness of peer-provided services (Doughty & Tse 2005). One purpose of this review is to look at literature published since then to assess any changes in the evidence of the effectiveness of peer support and peer-run services.
Medical and social science databases – PsychINFO, Medline, Cochrane Library, Sociological Abstracts and Google Scholar – were searched for relevant articles. An Internet search was conducted for relevant grey literature.
Interviews
A list of individuals and organisations, including both District Health Boards (DHBs) and non-government organisations (NGOs), with experience or expertise in peer support in New Zealand and internationally was drawn up. Those on the list were asked if they wished to take part in telephone or, where permitting, face-to-face interviews. A small number of organisations declined to participate. In total, 20 individuals individually or in their organisational capacity agreed to be involved. Participants were either experienced peer support providers, experts in some aspect of peer support such as training or supervision, service managers or funders and planners.