The Journal of Mental Health Training Education and Practice

Alison Faulkner; Thurstine Basset

2012 The Journal of Mental Health Training Education and Practice

doi: 10.1108/17556221211236448

Purpose – This paper aims to explore the extensive roots of peer support in mental health, and to identify the values and principles that the authors wish to hold onto as choices are made as to how and whether to engage with formal peer support within the National Health Service (NHS). Design/methodology/approach – The authors attempt to cover the ground of three types of peer support, but with an emphasis on informal peer support and participation in consumer or peer‐run groups as providing the roots for the third more formal type, which is often known as intentional peer support (IPS). Findings – Professionalisation of peer support may endanger the equality that lies at the root of peer support relationships. Independence may also be compromised if peer support becomes just another part of mainstream services. Whilst an individual/personalised approach to providing services has many strengths, one must be careful not to remove all opportunity for service users to meet together, support one another, plan and campaign. Practical implications – The findings suggest that commissioners of services should aim for a plurality of peer support and be careful to ensure that informal peer support is flourishing as an essential basis for more formal peer support. Originality/value – The paper shows that, with an increased interest in providing peer support as part of mainstream services, it is important to stress the basic values and principles that underpin informal service‐user led peer support.

Allen S. Daniels; Susan Bergeson; Larry Fricks; Peter Ashenden; Ike Powell

2012 The Journal of Mental Health Training Education and Practice

doi: 10.1108/17556221211236457

Purpose – This paper aims to focus on The Pillars of Peer Support initiative, an ongoing project to examine and develop the principles of peer support services. These services are differentiated from peer support and define the parameters of a certified workforce that promotes recovery and fosters wellbeing. This process is based upon the lived experience of the peer support specialist. Design/methodology/approach – A review of the literature indicates that a range of models and activities for peer support services have been developed, and established outcomes for these services are emerging. Since Medicaid has defined peer support services as reimbursable, the workforce has continued to expand. The Pillars of Peer Support initiative is designed to provide a standard set of principles to guide states in their work with Medicaid, and others in the development of this workforce. Findings – The results of three Pillars of Peer Support summits are presented. This includes the 25 Pillars that have been developed and their role and use in state funded and other services. Additional findings support the process through which states and others can build these resources. A statement of how Peer Support Services fit within an essential health benefits package is also included. Originality/value – The workforce of certified peer specialists is rapidly expanding. Their role in providing peer support services is identified, and principles to guide their professional roles are presented. This will help guide the field in the development and deployment of this important component of the healthcare delivery system.

Julie Repper; Emma Watson

2012 The Journal of Mental Health Training Education and Practice

doi: 10.1108/17556221211236466

Purpose – In April 2010, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS trust won Regional Innovation Funding to recruit, train and employ six peer support workers in community mental health teams. At the time, practical examples of the employment of peer support workers were lacking in England. The aim of this paper is to communicate the key lessons learned in this first year of peer support in the hope that these will provide a foundation for other services to build upon. Design/methodology/approach – The project was evaluated using a simple evaluation model reflecting service structure, processes and outcomes, collected through qualitative methods: documentary analysis, semi‐structured interviews and a focus group. Findings – The peer support employment process has been broken down into its fundamental components (selection, recruitment, training, supervision relationships, recovery approach and discharge of clients) and within each of these sections a brief narrative is provided to explain some of the challenges faced. Each section ends with recommendations based on the lessons learned as a result of the pilot study. Research limitations/implications – A second paper will examine the nature of peer support: what the peers did with clients and what difference this made. Originality/value – At present many mental health services are planning to employ peer support workers and this paper provides some early guidance for implementing this process in the NHS.

Julie Repper; Emma Watson

2012 The Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice

doi: 10.1108/17556221211236475

Purpose – In April 2010, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS trust won Regional Innovation Funding to recruit, train and employ six peer support workers in community mental health teams. At the time, practical examples of the employment of peer support workers were lacking in England. An earlier paper focuses on the lessons learned in this first year of peer support. The aim of this paper is to examine the nature and dynamics of peer support: what the peers did with clients and what difference this made. Design/methodology/approach – The project was evaluated using a simple evaluation model reflecting service structure, processes and outcomes, collected through qualitative methods: documentary analysis, semi‐structured interviews and a focus group. Findings – The six peers worked with 83 clients over the six month period. They offered emotional, practical, social support, support specific to care and support specific to recovery. They felt that the shared knowledge that they too had experienced mental health challenges was critical in engaging with clients in a trusting relationship and in informing their work. Originality/value – In the absence of English service models for peer support workers, this paper provides some guidance for new peer support teams, and some evidence to support the helpful nature of peer support work.

Emma Watson

2012 The Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice

doi: 10.1108/17556221211236484

Purpose – In April 2010, Nottinghamshire NHS trust recruited ten peer support workers (PSWs) to pilot the idea of PSWs within the organisation. As the first initiative of its kind the first year involved constant development from everybody involved. The aim of this paper is to provide an insight into this experience from the perspective of the PSWs themselves. Design/methodology/approach – A personal narrative of the first year of peer support is provided by a PSW employed by Nottingham NHS Trust and some of the key lessons learnt are described in terms of the “do's and don'ts” of peer support. Findings – The reality of peer support involves constant questioning, facing dilemmas and challenging situations. Over the first year these were addressed by the peer support team as a whole and solutions were found together. The process is not easy for PSWs, all of whom have had to face situations, care settings and people that have triggered difficult memories and led to reflection on their personal recoveries. The hard work has brought rewards to the team for which they are grateful and which spurs them forward towards the next stage of their journeys. Originality/value – This is a unique personal reflection of the processes involved in developing a peer support relationship. This will be of interest to those planning to implement this process in the NHS or those who hope to work within a peer support team.

David Crepaz‐Keay; Eva Cyhlarova

2012 The Journal of Mental Health Training Education and Practice

doi: 10.1108/17556221211236493

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe the development and delivery of a self‐management and peer support intervention for people with severe mental health diagnoses. Design/methodology/approach – There was a gap in the provision of a self‐management intervention designed and delivered by people with psychiatric diagnoses. In total, 24 people with the experience of severe mental ill‐health took part in developing the model and course materials for a new self‐management intervention. A three‐stage intervention was designed: two‐day training, six follow‐up sessions, and on‐going peer support. Findings – Between 2009 and 2012, over six hundred participants across Wales were trained. In total, 35 of the new courses and 27 of the Bipolar UK courses have been delivered. Currently, 15 peer support groups are still meeting regularly and many people are receiving on‐going support. At present, the effectiveness of the intervention is being evaluated; data are being collected at baseline, and at six and 12‐month follow‐up. Originality/value – Most self‐management strategies developed in the past have been focused on physical health conditions and developed and delivered by clinicians. This new self‐management intervention is based on the needs and experiences of the target beneficiaries. It was developed and is being delivered by people who have a psychiatric diagnosis, and have come through the training themselves.

Claire Ockwell

2012 The Journal of Mental Health Training Education and Practice

doi: 10.1108/17556221211236501

Purpose – This paper aims to explain how the CAPITAL Project Trust established an inpatient peer support project in West Sussex. Design/methodology/approach – The paper sets the project within local and historical contexts, seeking to explain some of the reasons for the growing interest in formal peer support, before explaining the methodology used to set up the project and the learning along the way. The author draws on evidence from evaluations to demonstrate the added value offered by inpatient peer support and argues for a peer defined set of values to underpin all peer support projects. Findings – Models of inpatient peer support need to be flexible to both the individual talents of peer support workers and the cultures of the different wards in which they work. Originality/value – The paper shows that the project demonstrates the value that can be added by independent peer support workers being placed on acute inpatient wards and the importance for service users of peer support being peer led.