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This chapter synthesises the current body of research on peer support within mental health, exploring its established strengths and acknowledging potential risks associated with its implementation. Peer support, defined by the provision of mutuality and shared understanding between individuals with lived experience of mental health challenges, has garnered increasing attention as a valuable component of recovery-oriented care. This chapter delves into the unique expertise derived from lived experience, highlighting how it fosters empathy, hope and a sense of belonging often distinct from traditional clinical approaches. Evidence supporting the complementary nature of peer support alongside traditional services is examined, showcasing its potential to improve overall personal recovery. Nevertheless, this chapter also critically addresses the potential risks and challenges identified in the literature. These include issues related to role ambiguity for peer support workers within multidisciplinary teams, difficulties in successful integration and sustainable implementation within diverse mental health settings and the importance of adequate training, supervision and clear ethical guidelines. Furthermore, this chapter explores potential risks for both peer support workers and recipients, such as emotional burden, boundary challenges and the need for careful consideration of power dynamics. By providing a balanced overview of the existing research, this chapter aims to offer a nuanced understanding of peer support’s contribution to mental health care. It underscores the significant benefits of leveraging lived experience while emphasising the crucial need for ongoing research, robust implementation strategies and careful attention to potential risks to ensure the safe and effective delivery of peer support interventions that truly promote recovery and well-being. Ultimately, this chapter advocates for a thoughtful and evidence-informed approach to integrating peer support as a vital element within comprehensive mental health systems.

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What Does Research Tell Us About Peer Support, Its Strengths and Potential Risks?

  • 章节

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2026年

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  • Chalotte Heinsvig Poulsen,
  • Lene Falgaard Eplov

摘要

This chapter synthesises the current body of research on peer support within mental health, exploring its established strengths and acknowledging potential risks associated with its implementation. Peer support, defined by the provision of mutuality and shared understanding between individuals with lived experience of mental health challenges, has garnered increasing attention as a valuable component of recovery-oriented care. This chapter delves into the unique expertise derived from lived experience, highlighting how it fosters empathy, hope and a sense of belonging often distinct from traditional clinical approaches. Evidence supporting the complementary nature of peer support alongside traditional services is examined, showcasing its potential to improve overall personal recovery. Nevertheless, this chapter also critically addresses the potential risks and challenges identified in the literature. These include issues related to role ambiguity for peer support workers within multidisciplinary teams, difficulties in successful integration and sustainable implementation within diverse mental health settings and the importance of adequate training, supervision and clear ethical guidelines. Furthermore, this chapter explores potential risks for both peer support workers and recipients, such as emotional burden, boundary challenges and the need for careful consideration of power dynamics. By providing a balanced overview of the existing research, this chapter aims to offer a nuanced understanding of peer support’s contribution to mental health care. It underscores the significant benefits of leveraging lived experience while emphasising the crucial need for ongoing research, robust implementation strategies and careful attention to potential risks to ensure the safe and effective delivery of peer support interventions that truly promote recovery and well-being. Ultimately, this chapter advocates for a thoughtful and evidence-informed approach to integrating peer support as a vital element within comprehensive mental health systems.