The development of peer support in the Netherlands, Brazil, and Israel.

Abstract

My recent communication and travels related to peer support efforts in The Netherlands, Brazil, and Israel provide a glimpse of the integration of peer support into existing mental health services in these three countries. Country by country, peer support is evolving in unique ways specific to each culture. Based on my communication with peers and colleagues, peer support is fairly well established in The Netherlands, but has not gained as strong a foothold in countries like Brazil and Israel, where governments and mental health authorities have yet to fully embrace the concepts and practice of peer support. Also volunteerism, so essential in the start-up of peer support and self-help groups in the United States in the early 1970s, does not yet exist in Brazil or Israel where there are not as well established nongovernmental (nonprofit) organizations. After speaking with informed advocates of peer support in these three countries, the question, for me, remains whether peer support will take root in countries other than English-speaking countries. Can these voluntary, grass roots, democratic associations have a viable future in countries like the Netherlands, Brazil, and Israel? The hope is that once mental health officials see the success of peer support programs and gain confidence in peer leaders, they will provide the funding and support necessary for peer support programs to grow and thrive.