Peer support/peer provided services underlying processes, benefits, and critical ingredients.
The article defines peer support/peer provided services; discusses the underlying psychosocial processes of these services; and delineates the benefits to peer providers, individuals receiving services, and mental health service delivery system. Based on these theoretical processes and research, the critical ingredients of peer provided services, critical characteristics of peer providers, and mental health system principles for achieving maximum benefits are discussed, along with the level of empirical evidence for establishing these elements.
Solomon
Phyllis
P
School of Social Work, University of Penn., Caster Building, 3701 Locust Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6214, USA. solomonp@caster.ssw.upenn.edu
D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000592:standards; D010379:Peer Group; D012944:Social Support; D014481:United States; D000078329:Workforce