Peer support interventions have a wide range of benefits. They cost less, they reduce the strain on emergency rooms, and they have been proven to be extremely effective in providing support to patients with mental health problem (Gaumond & Whitter, 2009). My personal reaction is that these systems have been working well for some years, particularly in the case of charities such as Alcoholics Anonymous, which provides peer support for people seeking help for substance abuse problems. I think it can be useful to have someone to talk to that has experienced the same thing as the patient, rather than relying only on clinical support which can seem less personalized. There is evidence that these peer support programs improve the sense of hope in patients, and can increase their feelings of control (Davidson, Bellamy, Guy, & Miller, 2012), which suggests that they have a very important role to play in the delivery of mental health services.
An individual who has been newly diagnosed with HIV/AIDS may seek support due to the stigma and severity of the diagnosis. In this case, it can be useful to find support with someone who is not simply focusing on the medical facts of the issue, but to engage with peer support with someone who has lived experiences who can describe the process that they themselves went through. A woman who needs help leaving her abusive husband can also use peer support. It can be extremely difficult for a woman to leave this situation, although it is the only safe option, but a peer support intervention will likely understand the danger that the individual is in from a more personal perspective than the medical profession. An individual who is transferring from prison may also benefit from talking to someone who has lived experience of the process, or who has worked closely with individuals transitioning from prison, as they can offer advice and listening services that are greatly beneficial.
References
Davidson, L., Bellamy, C., Guy, K., & Miller, R. (2012). Peer support among persons with severe mental illnesses: a review of evidence and experience. World Psychiatry, 11(2), 123–128.
Gaumond, P., & Whitter, M. (2009). Access to recovery (ATR) approaches to recovery-oriented systems of care: Three case studies. (HHS Publication No. (SMA) 09-4440). Rockville, MD: Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Retrieved from http://store.samhsa.gov/product/Access-to-Recovery-ATR-Approaches-to-Recovery-Oriented-Systems-of-Care/SMA09-4440
