Peer Support 101

Peer Support can look different in different settings. It is a type of help that can have a real impact on a person’s life, beyond what other mental health care professionals can provide. But Peer Support is chronically misunderstood and underfunded. While being based on shared experience and acceptance between two or more people, it is not the same as friendship and its impact is often underestimated. Outcomes are real and positive. And the impact can be seen both by individuals seeking support and the broader mental health system. 

But it’s important to start at the beginning and understand what Peer Support is and isn’t, the benefits and how it works in different environments. Below are resources to help explain what Peer Support is and where it exists, as well as a policy document that can help organizations and individuals advocate for more formalized Peer Support.