ISSUES AND WHAT IS NEEDED TO IMPROVE INTENTIONAL PEER SUPPORT AS CONSIDERED BY PROFESSIONALS IN THE MENTAL HEALTH AND WELFARE FIELD

Abstract

Objectives: Intentional peer support (“peer support”) in the field of mental health and welfare in Japan is that by persons with mental disorders living in the community, and has been utilized in community transition support for long-term hospitalized patients. Although some previous studies have reported issues, there are few reports on peer support examined by professionals. The current study seeks to clarify the issues of peer support and what is necessary for its improvement as considered by professionals.

Methods: A qualitative descriptive study using focus group discussions with four professionals in the mental health welfare field with experience in peer support. The obtained data were analyzed by Steps for Coding and Theorization (SCAT).

Results: The following factors were identified as issues to peer support: “stop of peer support owing to relapse of disease symptoms,” “little knowledge and experience of peer support by peer supporters,” “little knowledge and experience of peer support by professionals,” and “less realization of value as a peer supporter owing to the instability of rewards for peer support.” In addition, the following points were identified as necessary to improve the issues: “consideration by professionals for the mental disorder aspect of peer supporters,” “understanding by professionals of the strengths of peer supporters,” and “the ability of peer supporters to overcome diseases and disorders.”

Conclusion: The fact that the influence of the peer supporter's own disease condition was extracted as an issue for peer support is considered to be partly due to the perspective on such support in general and the view of professionals who tend to view things from an administrative aspect. To improve the issues, it is necessary for the peer supporters themselves to have the ability to cope with their diseases and for the professionals to understand instability of such diseases. In addition, professionals need to understand the value and strengths of peer supporters and to create opportunities for them to play an active role. Furthermore, peer supporters themselves need to accumulate knowledge and experience of peer support and find their own value.