title: A pilot training program for people in recovery of mental illness as vocational peer support workers in Hong Kong - Job Buddies Training Program (JBTP): A preliminary finding.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study reviews the delivery of a pilot curriculum-mentorship-based peer vocational support workers training in a Hong Kong public psychiatric hospital. The present paper reports (1) on the development of a peer vocational support workers training - Job Buddies Training Program (JBTP) in Hong Kong; and (2) preliminary findings from both quantitative and qualitative perspectives.
  
  
  METHODS
  The curriculum consists of 15-session coursework, 8-session storytelling workshop and 50-hour practicum to provide Supported Employment Peer Service (SEPS) under the mentorship of occupational therapists. Six trainees were assessed using three psychosocial assessments and qualitative methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to the baseline, the Job Buddies (JB) trainees showed an increase in awareness of their own recovery progress, occupational competence and problem-solving skills at the end of the training. Their perceived level of self-stigma was also lessened. In post-training evaluation, all Job Buddies trainees said they perceived positive personal growth and discovered their own strengths. They also appreciated the help from their mentors and gained mutual support from other trainees and from exposure with various mini-projects in the training.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This pilot study provides an example of incorporating peer support and manualized training into existing work rehabilitation service for our JB trainees. Further studies on the effectiveness of service provided by peer support workers and for development on the potential use of peer support workers in other clinical and rehabilitation settings with larger subjects will be fruitful.
authors.affiliation: Supported Employment Service, Occupational Therapy Department, Kwai Chung Hospital, Hong Kong. Electronic address: kevinyam@ha.org.hk.
authors.forename: Kevin Kei Nang
authors.initials: KKN
authors.lastname: Yam
authors.affiliation: Psychiatrist, Kwai Chung Hospital, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: William Tak Lam
authors.initials: WTL
authors.lastname: Lo
authors.affiliation: Supported Employment Service, Occupational Therapy Department, Kwai Chung Hospital, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Rose Lai Ping
authors.initials: RLP
authors.lastname: Chiu
authors.affiliation: Supported Employment Service, Occupational Therapy Department, Kwai Chung Hospital, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Bien Shuk Yin
authors.initials: BSY
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.affiliation: Supported Employment Service, Occupational Therapy Department, Kwai Chung Hospital, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Charles Ka Shing
authors.initials: CKS
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.affiliation: Supported Employment Service, Occupational Therapy Department, Kwai Chung Hospital, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Jen Kei Yu
authors.initials: JKY
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Supported Employment Service, Occupational Therapy Department, Kwai Chung Hospital, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Siu Man
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Wan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016832:Employment, Supported; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D010379:Peer Group; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational; D012944:Social Support
keywords: Curriculum-mentorship-based; Mental illness; Peer support; Recovery; Supported employment; Vocational rehabilitation service