Perhaps you have heard of peer support before, but for me it has been a somewhat vague term. Today, I want to explore what peer support is and how it works. There are many websites available that describe peer support, but today’s information is coming from the following webpage: http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/conditions/what-peer
In general, a peer is someone that we can identify with in some way (such as someone your age or someone who speaks the same language as you). In mental health, a peer is typically used to refer to someone who shares the experience of living with a mental illness and/or substance use disorder. Peer support is the process of giving and receiving encouragement and assistance to reach recovery. Peer supporters can offer emotional support, share knowledge, teach skills, provide assistance, and connect people with resources. In mental health, peers offer their unique lived experience with their conditions to provide support focused on advocacy, education, and mentoring.
Peers can facilitate education and support groups and work as a bridge linking people to services as they transition from health care facilities or jails into the community. Peers also can act as role models, mentors, coaches and advocates. As you can see, there are many ways that peers can help others and many opportunities for peer support in the community. Peer support is a another possible option for those facing a mental illness, and I hope this is yet another piece that is considered when thinking about treatment and recovery.
How about you? What do you think about peer support? Is it something you have been a part of or tried? It is something you have considered? Based on what little I have read, it seems that peer support will continue to grow and help more and more people, and that is exciting news to share.