Peers in the process of recovery have much experiential knowledge of dealing with common concerns and problems to offer other peers.

Use of experiential learning process

The primary premise of self-help groups is that those who help other peers also gain from this experience as much as they give. 

Use of mutual benefit

Natural social support is essentially an inherent element of peer delivered services, it helps to expand participants' social network and reduce their isolation.

Use of natural social support

Those who actually attend self-help groups and long-term participants have better outcomes. It's about choice and self-determination.

Voluntary nature of the service

Peer provided services need to be peer driven, otherwise peers feel disempowered. Peer provided services are effective as long as non peers do not dominate the group.

Primary control of service by individuals with psychiatric disorders

* Use of experiential learning process
* Use of mutual benefit
* Use of natural social support
* Voluntary nature of the service
* Primary control of service by individuals with psychiatric disorders

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

* Service elements
* Characteristics of peer providers
* Characteristics of mental health service delivery system

Critical ingredients of peer provided services 

Solomon, P. (2004). Peer support/peer provided services underlying processes, benefits, and critical ingredients. Psychiatric rehabilitation journal, 27(4), 392. https://doi.org/10.2975/27.2004.392.401

Peer support/peer provided services underlying processes, benefits, and critical ingredients.

Service elements

* Experience with mental health service delivery system
* Stable and in recovery
* Not current substance abuser or dependent

Characteristics of peer providers

* Diversity and accessibility of types/categories of peer provided services 
* Reflect cultural diversity of the community
* Availability of adjunctive and alternative peer provided services

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