Why I chose to leave mainstream psychiatric services: a peer supporter’s personal perspective
Abstract
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<jats:title content-type="abstract-subheading">Purpose</jats:title>
<jats:p>The purpose of this paper is to share the experiences and reflections of a paid peer support worker (PSW) working on an acute ward within mainstream psychiatric services.</jats:p>
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<jats:title content-type="abstract-subheading">Design/methodology/approach</jats:title>
<jats:p>A PSW’s reflective and narrative account of working in an acute ward setting over a 12-month period.</jats:p>
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<jats:title content-type="abstract-subheading">Findings</jats:title>
<jats:p>Working as a paid PSW within mainstream services can create personal moral conflicts and challenges which can sometimes compromise individual authenticity and integrity.</jats:p>
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<jats:title content-type="abstract-subheading">Originality/value</jats:title>
<jats:p>This paper is written from a personal perspective and as such is highly original.</jats:p>
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