Journal of Mental Health Training Education and Practice, 10(5), 2015, pp.282-293.
Publisher:
Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to report the findings of a third-sector community review into peer-to-peer best practices in mental health service provision in Sussex. This community initiative was funded by the Big Lottery to explore the benefits of the peer-led approach on individual and public health outcomes and identify avenues for partnership working.
Design/methodology/approach: A total of 131 participants who had engaged with peer-to-peer services both as receivers and providers of support were invited to share knowledge and best-practice expertise via a survey, focus groups and a public consultation day.
Findings: This case study review suggests peer-to-peer support services as an innovative approach to reducing suicide, self-harm, reliance on public health services (GPs, hospital stays, etc.) and engaging with drugs, alcohol and criminal activity. In addition to offering a holistic and social approach to mental health, it further identifies that engagement in peer-to-peer activities potentially provide long-term benefits by reducing the stigma associated with mental health conditions and treatment. This review highlights the importance of third-sector groups in providing peer-to-peer mental health support services. It recommends a network of Peer-to-Peer services to share best practices and improve partnership working.
Originality/value: Conducted by and for people with personal or family experiences with mental health challenges, this review captures the often inaccessible ideas of a highly marginalised group. It communicates how they would prefer to work in partnership with academic institutions, public and statutory service to improve individual and community health outcomes.
(Publisher abstract)
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to report the findings of a third-sector community review into peer-to-peer best practices in mental health service provision in Sussex. This community initiative was funded by the Big Lottery to explore the benefits of the peer-led approach on individual and public health outcomes and identify avenues for partnership working.
Design/methodology/approach: A total of 131 participants who had engaged with peer-to-peer services both as receivers and providers of support were invited to share knowledge and best-practice expertise via a survey, focus groups and a public consultation day.
Findings: This case study review suggests peer-to-peer support services as an innovative approach to reducing suicide, self-harm, reliance on public health services (GPs, hospital stays, etc.) and engaging with drugs, alcohol and criminal activity. In addition to offering a holistic and social approach to mental health, it further identifies that engagement in peer-to-peer activities potentially provide long-term benefits by reducing the stigma associated with mental health conditions and treatment. This review highlights the importance of third-sector groups in providing peer-to-peer mental health support services. It recommends a network of Peer-to-Peer services to share best practices and improve partnership working.
Originality/value: Conducted by and for people with personal or family experiences with mental health challenges, this review captures the often inaccessible ideas of a highly marginalised group. It communicates how they would prefer to work in partnership with academic institutions, public and statutory service to improve individual and community health outcomes.
(Publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
case studies, user participation, recovery, peer support, mental health services, voluntary sector, public health, evaluation, mental health problems, outcomes;
Journal of Mental Health Training Education and Practice, 10(5), 2015, pp.314-324.
Publisher:
Emerald
This paper presents a view from the voluntary sector, covering Together's experiences and learning over the past decade as one of the largest voluntary sector providers of mental health peer support. The paper outlines what peer support is, covering its history, variations and benefits, then goes on to discuss what the challenges have been to authenticity and what the future holds for peer support. The authors argue for the necessity of service user leadership in peer support based on both the Service User Involvement Directorate’s (SUID’s) experience and UK-wide learning. They report that peer support brings wellbeing and confidence benefits both to the supporter and the supported. However, the lack of understanding of what peer support is, the current climate of austerity and over-professionalisation can threaten the transformational power of genuine peer support. Peer support is always evolving, and there are areas like the criminal justice service and secure services where more work needs to be done. Commissioners/funders of mental health services should recognise the value of peer support and its potential for better wellbeing outcomes, while understanding the necessity of service user leadership to maximise its beneficial potential.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This paper presents a view from the voluntary sector, covering Together's experiences and learning over the past decade as one of the largest voluntary sector providers of mental health peer support. The paper outlines what peer support is, covering its history, variations and benefits, then goes on to discuss what the challenges have been to authenticity and what the future holds for peer support. The authors argue for the necessity of service user leadership in peer support based on both the Service User Involvement Directorate’s (SUID’s) experience and UK-wide learning. They report that peer support brings wellbeing and confidence benefits both to the supporter and the supported. However, the lack of understanding of what peer support is, the current climate of austerity and over-professionalisation can threaten the transformational power of genuine peer support. Peer support is always evolving, and there are areas like the criminal justice service and secure services where more work needs to be done. Commissioners/funders of mental health services should recognise the value of peer support and its potential for better wellbeing outcomes, while understanding the necessity of service user leadership to maximise its beneficial potential.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
peer support, wellbeing, mental health problems, training, good practice, voluntary sector, recovery, user participation;
University of Birmingham. Centre of Excellence in Interdisciplinary Mental Health; Suresearch
Publication year:
2006
Pagination:
21p.
Place of publication:
Birmingham
This guide suggests ways of engaging with user involvement which will assist mental health practitioners in mental health trusts and the voluntary sector to improve practice in this area. It combines ideas and advice with direct quotes from some of the users and staff who contributed to the research on which it is based.
This guide suggests ways of engaging with user involvement which will assist mental health practitioners in mental health trusts and the voluntary sector to improve practice in this area. It combines ideas and advice with direct quotes from some of the users and staff who contributed to the research on which it is based.
Subject terms:
mental health problems, mental health services, service uptake, service users, user participation, voluntary sector, advocacy, benefits;
Research from the Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health shows the importance of gaining service users' views on innovative local practices they receive. The Active Outreach Team was set up in a voluntary sector service with a remit to support people in sustaining their own tenancies. Assertive outreach is about engaging people who choose not to become involved with or actively resist mainstream services.
Research from the Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health shows the importance of gaining service users' views on innovative local practices they receive. The Active Outreach Team was set up in a voluntary sector service with a remit to support people in sustaining their own tenancies. Assertive outreach is about engaging people who choose not to become involved with or actively resist mainstream services.
Subject terms:
mental health problems, mental health services, service users, severe mental health problems, user participation, user views, voluntary organisations, voluntary sector, advocacy, assertive outreach;
Looks at a Leeds-based scheme that awards grants to projects that help people with mental illness become more involved in the community.
Looks at a Leeds-based scheme that awards grants to projects that help people with mental illness become more involved in the community.
Subject terms:
joint working, mental health problems, outreach services, quality of life, social services, user participation, voluntary sector, communities, drop-in centres, health authorities;
Examines the work of the East Cheshire Mental Health Forum, which has put service user involvement into practice and reaped the rewards.
Examines the work of the East Cheshire Mental Health Forum, which has put service user involvement into practice and reaped the rewards.
Subject terms:
local authority housing, mental health problems, mental health services, needs, service users, social care provision, user participation, user views, voluntary sector, carers;
A reduction in the role of local government as the primary provider of health and social services, including community care throughout the 1980s and into the 1990s has been matched by increasing support for the informal, voluntary and private sectors. The shift of responsibility from public to private has been promoted through a movement towards a mixed economy of care, which advocates increased quality and choice for users, as defined by users. The author's study looks at how three user groups - people with physical disabilities, people with mental health problems, and people with learning difficulties are being encouraged to have a voice in service planning and delivery of services across three local authority areas in the West Midlands.
A reduction in the role of local government as the primary provider of health and social services, including community care throughout the 1980s and into the 1990s has been matched by increasing support for the informal, voluntary and private sectors. The shift of responsibility from public to private has been promoted through a movement towards a mixed economy of care, which advocates increased quality and choice for users, as defined by users. The author's study looks at how three user groups - people with physical disabilities, people with mental health problems, and people with learning difficulties are being encouraged to have a voice in service planning and delivery of services across three local authority areas in the West Midlands.
Subject terms:
learning disabilities, mental health problems, physical disabilities, private sector, public sector, service users, social services, social care provision, surveys, user participation, voluntary sector, day centres, day services;
Reports on the development of a joint mental health strategy for older people in a central London Borough. The project brought together clinicians and practitioners from a variety of settings, the voluntary sector, and users and carers. The aim of the project was to develop a shared philosophy of care based on promoting independence and from this to identify the components of a spectrum of care that would meet the wide range of needs of elders with mental ill health. The borough had high levels of deprivation, unemployment and poor housing. In addition there was a rich ethnic diversity within the borough.
Reports on the development of a joint mental health strategy for older people in a central London Borough. The project brought together clinicians and practitioners from a variety of settings, the voluntary sector, and users and carers. The aim of the project was to develop a shared philosophy of care based on promoting independence and from this to identify the components of a spectrum of care that would meet the wide range of needs of elders with mental ill health. The borough had high levels of deprivation, unemployment and poor housing. In addition there was a rich ethnic diversity within the borough.
Subject terms:
home care, joint working, mental health problems, mental health services, NHS trusts, multidisciplinary services, older people, policy, primary care, social services, staff, standards, training, user participation, voluntary sector, carers, community mental health teams, dementia;