Effective Peer Support Research Articles

Peer support for eating disorders in Canada: program user perspectives

Evidence for the value of peer support for eating disorders (EDs) is growing. Peer support is not a replacement for treatment, but can provide hope for recovery, enhance motivation for treatment, and increase feelings of connectedness and belonging for those experiencing EDs. In this study, we explored peer mentees’ experiences of peer support for EDs to better understand the impact of peer support and its role in the Canadian treatment and support continuum. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 20 people who had received peer support (group, one-on-one, or chat) and conducted a reflexive thematic analysis through a critical realist lens. We developed four themes. Participants described the importance of connecting with others who had “been there,” which helped generate a sense of belonging and connectedness. They also highlighted aspects of the peer support “container” that needed to be in place, such as guidelines for groups and agreements for one-on-one mentoring. When peer support was delivered well, participants described how it helped them help themselves through increasing motivation, communication skills, and other coping skills. Finally, participants described the unique role of peer support within the treatment continuum, as a modality that was accessible, free, and delivered in a way that focused on the whole person. Together, our findings illustrate the value of peer support and considerations for enabling effective and safe peer support delivery.

The supervision gap in peer support workforce: implications for developing effective peer support programs in Native American communities

The article addresses the critical role of peer support programs in the delivery of behavioral health services. Peer support is instrumental in fostering mental health and overall wellness. Its efficacy is widely recognized in the broader population, including minority groups and communities. Peer support programs also offer distinct benefits for the health of Native American communities. When specifically tailored to these communities' needs, they address individuals' unique cultural, historical, and social challenges during their recovery journey. However, the persistent supervision gap in the peer support workforce poses a significant challenge to implementing these programs. This gap not only hampers the effectiveness of the programs but also limits their potential benefits. The paper conducts a comprehensive exploration of the causes and consequences of this supervision gap, underscoring the urgent need to address it and its implications for the mental health of Native American communities. The urgency of addressing this supervision gap is paramount, as it directly impacts the mental health and wellness of Native American communities. Also, it identifies and advocates for best practices in supervising peer support workers, explicitly focusing on Native American individuals and communities. In this vein, it raises awareness for more culturally sensitive, effective, and impactful peer support programs for Native American communities. The main objective is to improve Native communities' mental health and wellness by harnessing the power of peer support and ensuring its effective implementation through adequate supervision.

Ecological grief literacy: Approaches for responding to environmental loss

AbstractEnvironmental losses are increasingly evoking ‘‘ecological grief’’ among environmental and conservation professionals. Ecological grief is a natural but difficult psychological experience, and a risk to well‐being. Despite this, there are currently few resources available to support environmental professionals and their organizations to reduce the risks to well‐being and cope effectively with ecological grief. As a result, environmental professionals who experience this risk in the workplace are unlikely to be equipped with the knowledge, skills, or context to support themselves, colleagues, or peers, in experiences of ecological grief. In this paper, we provide information, guidance, and examples of workplace support for ecological grief. Drawing on insights from the field of grief and bereavement, we identify peer support and organizational responses as key supportive factors for those experiencing ecological grief. We also present a new concept, ‘‘ecological grief literacy,’’ to guide effective peer and organizational support. While peers have the potential to provide interpersonal support and connection for ecological grieving, it is essential that the organizations that employ environmental professionals enact policies and practices that provide structures, resources, and contexts to enable environmental professionals to effectively support ourselves and each other.

Text messaging support to enhance nurses' well-being and connectedness.

Nurses face numerous stressors due to increasing patient acuity, challenging staffing ratios, and trauma from the COVID-19 pandemic, among many other factors. To help improve nurses' daily self-care, nurses need diverse tools and interventions, such as peer support through text messaging (TM). This article evaluates the benefits of TM and strategies to use TM in providing effective peer support among nurses.

"I Think Peer Support Helps to Demystify People Who Have Mental Health Issues and Helps to Remove That Stigma": Exploring the Defining Characteristics and Related Challenges of Youth Peer Support Through Participatory Research.

Despite the emerging body of literature on the benefits of youth peer support, there is also evidence that peer support can have unintended negative impacts on peers themselves. It is important to explore what aspects of the peer role contribute to these difficulties in order to mitigate risks. This paper uses a participatory approach to examine the unique attributes of youth peer practice and the related challenges. We conducted semi-structured interviews and focus groups with both peer and non-peer staff from a community-based youth mental health program that provides peer support services (N = 29). Thematic analyses were completed using QSR NVivo. Analyses capture the defining features and related challenges of the peer support role (self-disclosure, boundaries, role confusion and dynamic recovery), and risk factors that affect peers (stigma, exposure to harm and burnout). This paper contributes to the literature on peer support as well as youth participatory evaluation. The findings will be useful to support the development of improved organizational contexts for peer practice and more effective peer support programming.

Explaining job satisfaction among mental health peer support workers.

Peer support practice has seen exponential growth during the past several decades. While there exists a body of research on job satisfaction among this emerging workforce, many studies had limited sample sizes and demographic diversity and focused on few facets of job satisfaction. The present study examines multiple factors associated with job satisfaction and compensates for limitations of previous smaller studies. A convenience/snowball sample of 645 peer support staff was recruited via National Association of Peer Supporters and Academy of Peer Services listservs. Eligible participants were at least 18 years of age, currently employed for a minimum of 6 months, and residing in one of the 50 states or one of U.S. territories. Global and multidimensional facets of job satisfaction were measured using the Indiana Job Satisfaction Survey. Data from an anonymous online survey were analyzed using hierarchical linear regression. The main hypothesis was supported; coworker support, perceived organizational support, supervisor support, and job empowerment explained 71% of the variance in overall job satisfaction, Adj R² = 0.71, F(9, 271) = 77.77, p < .01, with age and status as a certified peer specialist significant contributors. Perceived organizational support and job empowerment explained most variance in overall job satisfaction. As this workforce continues to burgeon, it is crucial to promote peer support values, role clarity, certification, diversity, and optimal organizational and empowerment resources to sustain a satisfied and effective peer support workforce. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

The Belo Horizonte’s harm reducers as a possible and effective peer support experience

PurposeThis article aims to analyze the incorporation of harm reduction health workers with lived experience in all services focused on the care for drug users in Belo Horizonte’s mental health network, one of the largest Brazilian Psychosocial Care Networks (Rede de Atenção Psicossocial [RAPS]), and reports the findings of a qualitative study on the life stories, recovery journeys and the professional practice of harm reducers in Belo Horizonte.Design/methodology/approachFor the development of this research, the authors chose the following methodological tools: documentary research; follow-up of harm reduction interventions; access to harm reducers’ field diaries; joint writing of the life stories of the harm reducers.FindingsIt indicates that these professionals, as harm reducers empowered by their life experience, have developed various elements and active ingredients of peer support. Their practices and the results of their actions have consolidated their inclusion as Belo Horizonte RAPS’ health workers and highlight that recovery-oriented care and peer support are a real possibility in Brazil.Originality/valueIn this research, harm reducers are coauthors and report their own life experience. In this article, they also talk about the impact of this experience on their work and on the lives of users of mental health services, emphasizing the protagonism and exercise of citizenship by harm reducers.

Experiences of peer support activities and the need for a metaverse-based program in young women with breast cancer: A qualitative study

ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore young breast cancer survivors’ experiences of peer support activities and their need for a metaverse-based peer support program. MethodsThis qualitative content analysis study involved 15 young women with breast cancer under the age of 40. Participants with diverse experiences in peer support activities were purposefully selected. Data were collected in March 2023 through three focus group interviews and three additional individual interviews. Saturation was reached when no new themes emerged from the interviews. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using conventional content analysis. This study ensured the trustworthiness of the data based on criteria including truth value, applicability, consistency, and neutrality. ResultsFour categories emerged: advantages, disadvantages, preferences for peer support activities, and the need for metaverse-based peer support programs. Participants valued peer support activities for exchanging information, nurturing empathy, and encouraging healthy behaviors. Challenges included information confusion, peer conflict, isolation, and stigma. Preferences for group composition, size, and medium varied; however, all participants agreed on the importance of operational guidelines. Participants expected a metaverse-based peer support program to provide safe and enjoyable experiences despite concerns about unfamiliar platforms. ConclusionsThis study highlights the unique needs and preferences of young breast cancer survivors regarding peer support activities. Well-organized and tailored peer support can significantly enhance their quality of life. These findings provide valuable insights for developing effective metaverse-based peer support programs to meet the needs of young women with breast cancer.

Establishing an Effective Peer Support Program for Reading Remediation

A study was conducted on the second grade non-readers in Toledo City's division. Eight pupils comprised up the cases. Three of them were Pantawid Pampamilyang Pilipino (4Ps) participants and they all came from low-income homes. The standard Philippine Informal Reading Inventory, a technique for evaluating the students' reading ability, was used to identify the extent of their reading difficulties. Pronunciation, omission, identification, mispronunciation, substitution, recognition, and non-readers were among the reading difficulties. Peer mentoring as a reading remediation and instruction eliminates non-readers and other reading problems in the school, according to a theory that the researcher developed as a result of the improvements made by the mentees. A peer mentoring plan was also developed by the researchers as assistance to the reading remediation program of the elementary school. In order to thoroughly examine the disability, look for correlations of the disability, and discover the underlying reasons of the reading handicap, it is imperative that all students from Grade Two up to Grade Six be diagnosed through a complete analysis of causality.

Sub-categories of moral distress among nurses: A descriptive longitudinal study.

There is ongoing debate regarding how moral distress should be defined. Some scholars argue that the standard "narrow" definition overlooks morally relevant causes of distress, while others argue that broadening the definition of moral distress risks making measurement impractical. However, without measurement, the true extent of moral distress remains unknown. To explore the frequency and intensity of five sub-categorizations of moral distress, resources used, intention to leave, and turnover of nurses using a new survey instrument. A mixed methods embedded design included a longitudinal, descriptive investigator-developed electronic survey with open-ended questions sent twice a week for 6weeks. Analysis included descriptive and comparative statistics and content analysis of narrative data. Registered nurses from four hospitals within one large healthcare system in Midwest United States. IRB approval was obtained. 246 participants completed the baseline survey, 80 participants provided data longitudinally for a minimum of 3 data points. At baseline, moral-conflict distress occurred with the highest frequency, followed by moral-constraint distress and moral-tension distress. By intensity, the most distressing sub-category was moral-tension distress, followed by "other" distress and moral-constraint distress. Longitudinally, when ranked by frequency, nurses experienced moral-conflict distress, moral-constraint distress, and moral-tension distress; by intensity, scores were highest for moral-tension distress, moral-uncertainty distress, and moral-constraint distress. Of available resources, participants spoke with colleagues and senior colleagues more frequently than using consultative services such as ethics consultation. Nurses experienced distress related to a number of moral issues extending beyond the traditional understanding of moral distress (as occurring due to a constraint) suggesting that our understanding and measurement of moral distress should be broadened. Nurses frequently used peer support as their primary resource but it was only moderately helpful. Effective peer support for moral distress could be impactful. Future research on moral distress sub-categories is needed.

Fear of pandemic and associated challenges of employees’ engagement in Asia: the critical role of support in a post pandemic context

PurposeThis study aims to highlight the moderating role of perceived organizational, supervisory and coworker’s support in weakening the negative relationship between fear of pandemic (FOP) and employee’s engagement in the Asian organizations. Furthermore, this study also aims to explore the role of employees’ engagement as an intervening mechanism, which mediates the relationship between FOP and employee’s performance in an Asian postpandemic context.Design/methodology/approachBased on extensive review of recent literature and sound theoretical reasoning, the authors have developed a comprehensive conceptual framework (with related theoretical propositions) which provides clear guidelines as to how Asian Business Managers/organizations can minimize the adverse effect of the employee’s fear triggered by the pandemic at the workplace and how provision of effective and timely organizational/interpersonal support (i.e. organizational, managerial and coworkers level support) can help Asian Managers address various workplace challenges created by the pandemic moving forward. This study has further validated the proposed conceptual framework and related theoretical propositions by conducting an in-depth bibliometric analysis and by developing clusters of the co-occurrences based on most recent/ relevant literature published in the area.FindingsThis study advances the knowledge in the areas of FOP and organizational support in particular. A comprehensive review of the literature clearly indicates how effective organizational, supervisory and peer support mechanism can help Asian Business Managers in alleviating the negative impact of the FOP on various employee level outcomes such as employees “engagement and performance” and how it can help Asian firms in addressing the associated challenges while working in a postpandemic context. Later on, an in-depth bibliometric analysis of the literature has revealed emerging knowledge patterns in the field and has indicated several key gaps in the existing literature which further confirms the theoretical framework and the propositions related thereto.Originality/valueThough several researchers have previously examined the fear created by COVID-19 at workplace, relatively fewer researchers have tried to link it up with employees’ level of involvement/ engagement at workplace. Even fewer researchers have tried to examine the vital role that organizational, managerial and peers support can play in minimizing the adverse effects created by pandemic-induced fears for employees’ productivity and performance in an Asian workplace context. Furthermore, hardly any efforts have been made to look at this popular notion of employees’ engagement as an intervening mechanism which carries a significant potential to mediate the relationship between FOP and employees’ job performance. This study aims to bridge all these gaps by integrating the two main streams of knowledge together, i.e. Four Horsemen of Fear and Organizational Support theory. Based on strong theoretical reasoning, an in-depth review and a bibliometric analysis of the relevant literature, the authors have developed a comprehensive conceptual framework which explains how various levels of support may interact with FOP to predict different levels of employees’ engagement in a contemporary Asian workplace and how this in turn may impact employees’ job performance while at work.

A Randomized Controlled Trial for a Digital Peer Support Platform to Translate Online Peer Support for Emerging Adult Mental Well-being.

Emerging adulthood (ages 19 to 25) is a developmental phase that is marked by increased mental health conditions, especially depression and anxiety. A growing body of work indicates that digital peer emotional support has positive implications for the psychological functioning of emerging adults. These is burgeoning interest among healthcare professionals, educational stakeholders and policy makers in understanding the implementation and clinical effectiveness, as well as the associated mechanism of change, of digital peer support as an intervention. This randomized controlled trial (RCT) examined the effectiveness of digital peer support intervention over a digital platform-Acceset-for emerging adult psychological well-being with three primary aims. First, we evaluated the implementation effectiveness of digital peer support training for individuals providing support (befrienders), and digital platform for peer support. Second, we assessed the clinical outcomes of digital peer support, in terms of the intervening effect on emerging adult psychological well-being. Third, we investigated the mechanism of change linking digital peer support intervention to emerging adult psychological well-being. The RCT involving 100 emerging adults from the National University of Singapore follows the published protocol on this trial [29]. The RCT found effectiveness of digital peer support training-specifically, befrienders' peer support responses demonstrating significantly higher post- than pre-training scores in selfhood (post-training: M = 62.83, SE = 10.18; pre-training: M = 54.86, SE = 7.32), t(34) = 3.88, P < .0001. The digital peer support intervention demonstrated clinical effectiveness in enhancing selfhood, compassion and mindfulness, and in lowering depressive and anxiety symptoms among seekers in the intervention group at post intervention (M = 7.15, SE = 0.88) than seekers in the waitlist control group prior to intervention (M = 11.75, SE = 0.89), t(89) = 3.44, P = 0.0009. The effect of the intervention on seekers' psychological well-being was sustained beyond the period of the intervention. The mechanism of change revealed that seekers' engagement of the intervention had both immediate and prospective implications for their psychological well-being. This RCT on digital peer support intervention for emerging adult psychological well-being harnesses the interventional potential of four components of psychological well-being and elucidated a mechanism of change. By incorporating and validating the digital features and process of a peer support platform, our RCT provide the parameters and conditions in deploying effective and novel digital peer support intervention for emerging adult psychological well-being in real-world settings. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05083676.

Experiential peers cultivate a participation culture in youth justice

PurposeThe purpose of this viewpoint paper is to explore the concept of experiential peer support, which involves individuals who have lived experiences of using care and justice services. This paper discusses whether experiential peer support can contribute to developing a participatory culture in youth justice practice.Design/methodology/approachThis viewpoint paper will critically evaluate the relational power of experiential peers. Particular attention will be paid to the key components of relational practices by reflecting on ways to enhance the voice of the child within participatory and child first approaches. The paper draws on a range of evidence and research to explore whether inclusion of a lived experience perspective can foster participatory cultures.FindingsExperiential peers can create a participatory youth justice culture, which can positively impact on desistance for justice involved children.Research limitations/implicationsFurther research needs to be undertaken to extrapolate the key characteristics of effective experiential peer support. This includes discussion on whether recruitment of wounded healers into professional youth justice roles can enhance participation in youth justice settings and construct conditions for social growth to develop in youth justice practice.Originality/valueThe author of this viewpoint paper has personal experience of care, youth incarceration and professional experience of youth justice participation practice, providing a unique vantage point and contribution to the desistance and rehabilitation literature.

Strengthening Peer Mentoring Relationships for New Mothers: A Qualitative Analysis.

(1) Background: The transition to motherhood can be challenging, especially for first-time mothers, and can accompany maternal distress. Social support—such as that offered by peers—can be important in assisting mothers to manage such distress. Although primiparous mothers often seek out and value peer support programs, few researchers have investigated factors that may influence the strength of relationships in non-professional maternal peer support programs. Insight into these factors can be key to enhancing the success of future peer support interventions. (2) Methods: Reflexive thematic analysis was applied to data gathered from 36 semi-structured interviews conducted with 14 primiparous mothers and 17 peer mentors in a peer support program. (3) Results: Four themes related to successful mentorship were identified: expectations of peer relationship, independence of peer mentor, contact, and similarities. (4) Conclusions: For primiparous mothers who are developing their support network, these factors appear important for promoting close and effective peer support relationships. Interventions that harness the dynamics between these factors may contribute to more successful peer support relationships and mental health outcomes for participants.

A Digital Peer Support Platform to Translate Web-Based Peer Support for Emerging Adult Mental Well-being: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

BackgroundMental health issues among emerging adults (aged 19-25 years) on a global scale have underscored the need to address their widespread experiences of depression and anxiety. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, emerging studies are being directed toward the development and deployment of digital peer emotional disclosure and support for the psychological well-being of emerging adults. However, it is important to explore the implementation and clinical effectiveness, as well as associated mechanisms of change, for optimal approaches in conducting digital peer support interventions for emerging adults’ psychological well-being.ObjectiveWe describe a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the implementation and clinical effectiveness of Acceset, a digital peer support intervention to address emerging adult mental well-being. The intervention has 2 components. First, the digital peer support training equips befrienders (ie, peers who provide support) to harness 4 components of psychological well-being—mattering, selfhood, compassion, and mindfulness—to provide effective peer support for seekers (ie, peers who seek support). Second, Acceset incorporates psychological well-being digital markers and harnesses community engagement to drive emotional disclosure among peers.MethodsA total of 100 participants (aged 19-25 years) from the National University of Singapore will be recruited and randomized into 2 arms. In arm 1 (n=50), the seekers will use Acceset with befrienders (n=30) as well as moderators (n=30) for 3 weeks. Arm 2 comprises a wait-listed control group (n=50). A questionnaire battery will be used to monitor seekers and befrienders at 4 time points. These include baseline (before the intervention), 3 weeks (end of the intervention), and 6 and 9 weeks (carryover effect measurement). Implementation outcomes of the intervention will involve evaluation of the training curriculum with respect to adoption and fidelity as well as user acceptability of the Acceset platform and its feasibility for broader deployment. Clinical outcomes will include mattering, selfhood, compassion, mindfulness, perceived social support, and psychological well-being scores.ResultsThis protocol received National University of Singapore Institutional Ethics Review Board approval in October 2021. Recruitment will commence in January 2022. We expect data collection and analyses to be completed in June 2022. Preliminary findings are expected to be published in December 2022. The Cohen d index will be used for effect size estimation with a .05 (95% reliability) significance level and 80% power.ConclusionsThis protocol considers a novel digital peer support intervention—Acceset—that incorporates components and digital markers of emerging adult mental well-being. Through the validation of the Acceset intervention, this study defines the parameters and conditions for digital peer support interventions for emerging adults.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT05083676; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05083676International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)PRR1-10.2196/34602

The Well-Being of Peer Supporters in a Pandemic: A Mixed-Methods Study.

Peer support is an effective, well-received approach to caring for health care professionals who face stress, challenges, and reduced well-being. Peer supporters may be at risk for emotional exhaustion and secondary traumatic stress due to their primary roles and involvement as peer supporters during the COVID-19 pandemic. Peer supporters from five well-established peer support programs completed surveys (ProQOL and a five-item emotional exhaustion measure) to assess secondary traumatic stress, compassion satisfaction, and burnout during the pandemic. Analysis of variance models analyzed differences in these well-being outcomes by role, age, years in health care, and working in high-risk areas. Qualitative content analysis was performed for open-response questions about challenges, needs, and successful well-being strategies using Braun and Clarke's six-phase thematic analysis. A total of 375 peer supporters completed the survey between spring and summer 2021 for a response rate of about 38%. Most participants had low secondary traumatic stress and moderate to high compassion satisfaction; nearly 44% had concerning levels of emotional exhaustion. Compassion satisfaction was significantly lower (p = 0.003) and emotional exhaustion significantly higher (p < 0.001) among the youngest cohort, and both compassion satisfaction and emotional exhaustion differed across career stages (p = 0.003 and p = 0.04, respectively). Emotional exhaustion was significantly higher in peer supporters working in COVID units than in non-COVID units (p = 0.021). Peer supporters identified numerous protective and risk factors associated with serving as a peer supporter. Despite having moderate to high levels of compassion satisfaction, peer supporters report high levels of burnout and numerous challenges and needs to sustain their well-being. To maintain effective peer support programs during the ongoing pandemic, health care organizations must study and support the well-being of health care professional peer supporters.

Second Victims in Intensive Care-Emotional Stress and Traumatization of Intensive Care Nurses in Western Austria after Adverse Events during the Treatment of Patients.

Background: The second victim phenomenon is common among nurses in intensive care units. Apart from quantitative studies, little is known about individual cases among those high-risk groups. This study evaluates the natural history and cause of second victim traumatization in Western Austria for the first time to tailor specific intervention. Methods: A total of 20 guided interviews were conducted with intensive care nurses in Western Austria. All interviews were transcribed and analyzed with MAXQDA software. Evaluation followed the structuring qualitative content analysis scheme according to Kuckartz. Results: The most frequent symptoms of the second victim phenomenon reported were feelings of guilt and problems with falling asleep. Coping with the second victim phenomenon was accomplished by conversations in private as well as among work colleagues. Conclusions: Intensive care nurses are exposed to many exceptional situations which have a high likelihood of resulting in second victim traumatization. As proximal psychosocial support is considered to be a main source of coping, wide-spread implementation of effective psychosocial peer support programs ought to be applied by medical organizations. Patient safety measures such as proactive and reactive clinical risk management (e.g., CIRS) should be linked to second victim support.

What can general practice learn from primary care nurses’ and healthcare assistants’ experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic? A qualitative study

ObjectivesUK general practice has radically altered in response to COVID-19. The general practice nursing team has been central to these changes. To help learn from COVID-19 and maintain a sustainable...

Building a Program of Expanded Peer Support for the Entire Health Care Team: No One Left Behind.

Medical errors can cause second victim syndrome (SVS) in caregivers. Literature describing the development of effective peer support programs is limited. This article describes the implementation of a peer support program for an entire health care system. The research team initially trained 52 supporters representing all clinical areas throughout an urban academic quaternary care campus. Each then supported at-risk colleagues, raised awareness of SVS, and recruited others for training. Triggers for peer support expanded to include medical errors, unanticipated patient outcomes, inability to stop the progression of medical conditions, medical emergencies of colleagues, aggressive behavior by a patient/family member, and COVID-19 events. Data reporting supporters' efforts were summarized. After the initial 5-hour session, training was condensed into 2.5 hours. The effectiveness of these training sessions was assessed. The Second Victim Experience and Support Tool (SVEST) was used to assess program effectiveness three and nine months after implementation. By 18 months, a blended program was achieved with 149 supporters: 81 medical college and 68 hospital personnel. Providers received 46.5% of support efforts and hospital personnel 47.9%. The most common event supported was inability to stop the progression of medical conditions (24.5%). Both training sessions improved attendees' knowledge of SVS and improved their comfort with teaching others how to support a second victim. Both SVEST surveys showed that nonwork and supervisor support rated highest, followed by colleague support. Institution support rated lowest. The team successfully implemented a peer support program with trained supporters from various clinical disciplines for distressing events beyond medical errors.

The project ECHO first responder resiliency program: curriculum development, listening groups and lessons learned to support providers virtually during a pandemic

The First Responder (FR) Resilience ECHO Program continues as a virtual telementoring platform supporting FRs both within New Mexico and internationally. The program began initially to support FRs through the opioid epidemic, and as the COVID-19 pandemic grew, the curriculum and audience broadened to include self-care and resilience skills to participants around the world. The notion of a FR was changed as providers everywhere were facing new challenges in their front-facing experience, whether this be a sense of overwhelm, an experience of detachment or of overload. The curriculum was altered with ongoing input from participants to address the needs of those working to help others during the COVID-19 pandemic, and included didactics in psychological first aid, self-care and resilience, peak performance skills, communication methods, diagnostic and systems descriptions, as well as the development of effective peer support programs around the nation. Perhaps the most important innovation was the development of listening groups, where participants could connect with one another in breakout rooms (15–20 min) to witness one another’s account of their current situation. Project ECHO is a well-established and renowned telementoring program that assists clinicians in the treatment of disease through the demonopolization of knowledge. The FR Resiliency ECHO Program grew out of the core ECHO model to assist FRs in developing skills to work with various crises that our society currently faces, in particular, the opioid epidemic and later, the COVID-19 pandemic. The project created a unique online experience and curriculum to facilitate both skill development and a sense of ongoing connection to a community of peers. This article describes the curriculum, the development of the listening group experience, and the feedback received from participants through focus groups.