Strategies Used to Support Peer Provision in Mental Health: A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Mental Health Services Research
• Organizational Psychology
• Peer Support Integration

Background:

• Peer providers, individuals with lived experience of mental health challenges, are increasingly recognized in mental health policy.
• Despite growing acceptance, significant barriers hinder the integration of peer providers into mental health services.
• Existing literature extensively documents these barriers but offers limited insight into successful implementation strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To consolidate and summarize strategies used by mental health organizations for the successful implementation of peer provision.
• To address an under-explored area in peer support research by focusing on organizational strategies.
• To provide actionable insights for policymakers and practitioners regarding peer provider integration.

Main Methods:

• A scoping review methodology was employed for rapid synthesis of relevant research.
• Searches included peer-reviewed articles and grey literature from databases, peer support websites, and hand searches.
• Data from 28 studies (25 qualitative, 3 mixed-methods) were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Main Results:

• Four key themes emerged, highlighting critical factors for successful peer provision implementation.
• Championing peer provision initiatives by organizational leadership was identified as central to success and sustainability.
• Leadership enables effective organizational preparation, recruitment, training, induction, and ongoing support and development for peer providers.

Conclusions:

• Strong organizational leadership is fundamental for the successful and sustainable integration of peer providers.
• Leadership facilitates the implementation of essential strategies across the peer provider lifecycle, from preparation to ongoing development.
• This review offers practical guidance for mental health organizations aiming to optimize peer provider roles.