title: Experiences of peer support for children and adolescents whose parents and siblings have mental illness.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is minimal published literature on experiences of peer support programs for children/adolescents in families affected by mental illness. This study aimed to explore children's and adolescents' perspectives of the ON FIRE peer support program.
  
  
  METHODS
  An exploratory qualitative study with 14 children/adolescents 9-17 years of age who participated in semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis resulted in three themes of experience.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants made connections with others in the program, developed personal strengths, and learned how to contribute to others' well-being.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Participants derived substantial personal benefit from peer support. Use of social media and the Internet may facilitate future program delivery.
authors.affiliation: Sydney Nursing School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Foster
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McCloughen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D010379:Peer Group; D010865:Pilot Projects; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D035781:Siblings / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support
keywords: Children; parental mental illness; peer support; qualitative; resilience; sibling