When peer support workers feel the need to act like a professional to ‘fit in’ with the team, they neglect the unique personal experience and may not remain true to themselves.

Hard to maintain the distinct role

They provide support based on experience rather than professional expertise, more reciprocal relationships and more egalitarian conversations. 

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

* Boundaries
* Power
* Stress for peer support workers
* Accountability
* Maintaining peer support workers' distinct role

Challenging issues in peer support

Repper, J., & Carter, T. (2011). A review of the literature on peer support in mental health services. Journal of mental health, 20(4), 392-411. https://doi.org/10.3109/09638237.2011.583947

A review of the literature on peer support in mental health services

Peer support workers may be viewed more like friends than non-peer case managers or clinical staff, and they are expected to disclose personal information and to share intimate stories from their own lives.

Boundaries in peer support

Formalising peer support by offering payment, training and titles will lead to power differences.

Power

Peer support workers might be exposed to stress that could result in a reoccurrence of symptoms that may result in rehospitalisation.

Stress for peer support workers

There is a shared responsibility between peer support workers and peers that moves away from risk assessments towards mutually responsible relationships.

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