Peer support refers to people with a similar lived experience – a peer – who can provide understanding, compassion, and hope to support people dealing with mental health problems and or substance use disorder. Whether the peer support is formal or informal, they are often a pivotal part of individual's healing and treatment path. Broadly recognized as a key component to a comprehensive mental health care system, peer support is an established practice in many local, state, national, and international settings. Peer support works by increasing hope, connection, treatment, recovery, empowerment, and social functioning.
Nationally, peer support is acknowledged as a key component of an effective mental health system from federal agencies like Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to leading professional organizations, including Mental Health America (MHA) and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). SAMHSA considers peer support an evidence-based practice and reimburses for services under Medicaid in nearly all states. Peer supporters work in all 50 states, under a variety of specializations: parent peer support, youth peer support, family peer support and peer support for recovering individuals.
Though the research community encourages further study of specific peer support structures and roles, there is widespread evidence supporting its effectiveness. The consensus is that peer support is effective at improving treatment outcomes; cost-effective by reducing expenditures in the health care and correctional systems; and vital for children who benefit from the positive impacts on families.
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