Experiences of Mental Health Professions to Cooperate with Peer Support Workers

Abstract

Objective: This study determines the experiences of mental health professionals working in cooperation with peer support workers.

Methods: A total of 15 professionals, including psychiatric social workers, nurses and others, who had worked with peer support workers for more than a year, were interviewed one-to-one using an interview guide. The transcripts were analyzed qualitatively and descriptively.

Results: To work in cooperation with peer support workers, professionals tried to “create opportunities for equal relationships and equal participation,” “learn from peer support workers,” as well as “understand the strengths of peer support workers,” “understand the concern of peer support workers,” “monitor the physical conditions of peer support workers,” “create opportunities for peer support workers to get used to work through practice,” “provide support according to the social experience of peer support workers,” “create a work environment where peer support workers are not isolated,” “recognize resistance to work with peer support workers,” and “examine employment methods.”

Discussion: To work in cooperation with peer support workers, it is necessary to build a work environment in which such workers can continue to work by embracing the characteristic relationships of peer support, such as equality and reciprocity, in the organization.