Peer specialist training: integration of peer support in mainstream mental health

Abstract

Consumer involvement has become the holy grail of mental health services. Research shows that the use of consumer peer supporters delivers similar outcomes in recovery to mainstream mental healthcare. The effectiveness for peer support in outcome achievement is attributed to the flexibility, creativity, and ability to connect on a deeper level with their peers through the sharing of their own lived experience. Despite the evidence of the effectiveness of consumer providers, the mainstream mental health system is slow to integrate their usage. The purpose of this project was to develop a training program for peer specialists in mental health that embodies the recovery model, and allows for flexibility and creativity that makes peer supporters effective. The aim of this project is to provide a resource for agencies embarking on integrating peer specialists into their own service delivery system.