What ho! Former intern @_munshine sent this little beauty from London. Cheers! #anglophile (at NoStigmas)
Are peer support programs effective?
Yes! There has been a lot of research that shows how peer support programs have a positive impact on the recovery and well-being of those suffering from mental illnesses. Untreated mental illnesses can have devastating consequences, and having a support system is essential for successful treatment.The road to mental health can be difficult and intimidating, but it can be manageable with the right support system. Evidence has shown that taking advantage of peer support programs contributes to stronger social support systems, increases the likelihood of treatment follow-through, and can even reduce hospitalizations or re-admissions due to a mental health crisis.
What are the benefits?
In addition to being part of a healthy support system, peer support programs provide a multitude of benefits:
Peer support provides non-judgmental emotional support.
Peer supporters are individuals who have gone through similar experiences, so they know how difficult dealing with a mental illness can be.
Peer support provides options.
The mental health system is complex, and people often don’t know where to turn or what is available to them. Peer supporters can provide the resources necessary to make decisions that are right for them.
Peer support can work in conjunction with existing treatment plans.
Peer support doesn’t replace the treatments outlined by a primary care doctor or mental health professional, but it can be a good way to make sense of what is happening.
For more information about how peer support programs can improve mental health, please refer to the following resources:
- Science Behind Peer Support | Peers for Progress
- Peer Support Key to Sustaining Recovery | Behavioral Health Evolution
Peer Support FAQ was originally published on NoStigmas.org | Redefining Mental Health
It was in March when I was on my way to a job fair for teachers. My phone rang, my mom on the other end of the line. “I have to tell you something,” my mom said solemnly, and I knew it was drastic, because she didn’t follow it with “but everything is okay.”