[Perspective of peer helpers regarding their experience animating a self-treatment program for panic disorders].
OBJECTIVE
Support groups can help to reach individuals with anxiety disorders who are not or are only partly obtaining health services. The present study is based on a program that involves peer helpers as animators of a self-treatment group (Zéro-ATAQ). Their perspective has been documented in order to identify the aspects of the program which can be improved.


METHODS
Eleven peer helpers led the 12 sessions of the program, which was dispensed in four regions of Quebec for 32 persons having panic disorders with agoraphobia. The perspectives of ten peer animators were documented based on a semi-structured interview that took place at the end of the program, and a focus group that was held over six months later with peer animators from each of the groups. Their comments were transcribed and a thematic content analysis was conducted.


RESULTS
All of the peer helper animators reported that they enjoyed participating in the program, that they appreciated being able to help others having an anxiety disorder, and that the program helped them in their role as animators of these types of activities. Nearly all of the peer helpers emphasized the importance of being able to count on the supervision of a professional when needed.


CONCLUSIONS
This study revealed (1) the feasibility of implementing a program of this kind in partnership with peers, (2) the qualifications necessary to lead this type of program, (3) the requirements in terms of training and available material, and (4) the importance of supervision.
Institut universitaire en santé mentale Douglas; Département de psychiatrie, Université McGill.
Michel
M
Perreault
Association des troubles de l'humeur et d'anxiété du Québec (ATHAQ); Centre hospitalier Pierre-Janet; Université du Québec en Outaouais.
Stéphane
S
Bouchard
Institut national d'excellence en santé et en services sociaux (INESSS); Institut universitaire en santé mentale Douglas.
Micheline
M
Lapalme
Commission scolaire de la Pointe-de-l'Île; Institut universitaire en santé mentale Douglas.
Anick
A
Laverdure
Département de médecine familiale et de médecine d'urgence, Université Laval; Association des troubles de l'humeur et d'anxiété du Québec (ATHAQ); Unité de médecine familiale, Hôpital Saint-François d'Assise, CSSS Vieille-Capitale.
Denis
D
Audet
Association des troubles de l'humeur et d'anxiété du Québec (ATHAQ).
Jean-Claude
JC
Cusson
Institut universitaire en santé mentale Douglas.
Camillo
C
Zacchia
Institut universitaire en santé mentale Douglas.
Diana
D
Milton
Institut universitaire en santé mentale Douglas.
Michaël
M
Sam Tion
Institut universitaire en santé mentale Douglas.
Mariko
M
Chartier-Otis
Département de psychologie, Université du Québec à Montréal; Centre d'étude sur le trauma, Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal.
André
A
Marchand
Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM); Institut universitaire en santé mentale Douglas.
Claude
C
Bélanger
D000379:Agoraphobia / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D010379:Peer Group; D011792:Quebec; D012657:Self-Help Groups