Implementing mental health peer support: a South Australian experience

Area of Science:

• Mental Health Services Research
• Consumer Participation in Healthcare
• Workforce Development in Mental Health

Background:

• Mental illness significantly contributes to disability and reduced quality of life.
• Reforming mental health services to meet consumer needs is a policy priority.
• Integrating consumers into the mental health workforce is a key strategy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a training program for consumers in mental health services in South Australia.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of the Introduction to Peer Work (IPW) course.
• To develop a model for successful implementation of peer worker roles.

Main Methods:

• Development of a flexible training pathway including an information session and the IPW course.
• External evaluation of the training program and implementation process.
• Analysis of employment outcomes for IPW graduates over time.

Main Results:

• The IPW course effectively prepared individuals for peer work.
• Organizational commitment and leadership were crucial for successful peer worker integration.
• A three-step model (prepare, train, support) was developed to guide organizations.
• Employment outcomes for IPW graduates improved over time, with a shift towards paid positions.

Conclusions:

• The Peer Work Project successfully created employment opportunities for trained peer workers.
• Effective implementation requires organizational readiness and ongoing support for peer workers.
• The developed training and implementation model can enhance consumer roles in mental health services.