Abstract
Introduction: The importance of peer support workers in mental health care delivery has been extensively advocated for in mental health policy frameworks. However, there has been limited research examining the implementation of paid peer workers in clinical settings. This study explores the experience of paid peer support workers integrated within a clinically-operated community-based residential rehabilitation service for people diagnosed with a mental health disorder experiencing challenges living independently in the community.Methods: A general inductive approach was taken in the analysis of diaries completed by a newly employed peer workforce. These diaries focussed on what they viewed as significant interactions in fulfilling their role. Composite vignettes were generated to illustrate key themes.Findings: Thirty-six diaries were provided; these reported unplanned and spontaneously occurring interactions. Peer workers emphasized the importance of connecting with people while they were engaging in everyday activities as an opportunity for personal growth of the residents. The diaries also focussed on the peer workers' ability to connect and establish trust by sharing similar experiences with residents or family members. Peer workers also believed that they brought a different perspective than clinical staff and were able to refocus attention from clinical diagnoses and symptoms to other aspects of the resident's lives.Discussion: Peer support workers described their work as flexible, responsive, and adaptable to the resident's needs. They believed that their roles brought a different lens to interactions on the unit and fostered a more inclusive and personal way of working for the team.Conclusion: To ensure that peer workers can engage authentically with residents and family members, it is critical that the role and principles of peer work are valued and understood by all.
Highlights
The importance of peer support workers in mental health care delivery has been extensively advocated for in mental health policy frameworks
All diaries reported on unplanned interactions that occurred spontaneously
The peer support worker in this instance described losing the trust of the resident, but the peer support worker reconciled this, stating that “it was more important for the treatment team to maintain the connection.”. This project showcases how peer support workers operationalize their work in a public mental health service and the types of interactions they consider significant in their own words
Summary
The importance of peer support workers in mental health care delivery has been extensively advocated for in mental health policy frameworks. This study explores the experience of paid peer support workers integrated within a clinically-operated community-based residential rehabilitation service for people diagnosed with a mental health disorder experiencing challenges living independently in the community. Peer support workers are people who are employed in government and non-government services, peer operated services and clinical settings on the basis of their lived experiences with mental health distress [1, 2]. Important aspects of peer support worker roles can include eliciting and promoting the strengths of consumers; supporting self-determination; and advocating to reduce discrimination, leading to improved mental health [5]. Understanding recovery for people affected by mental health challenges requires a holistic approach with emphasis on principles such as hope, autonomy, informed choice, social connection, and the strengths of the individual [8, 9]
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