The Peer Navigator Role and Its Contribution to Mental Health Service Delivery: An Integrative Review

Area of Science:

• Mental Health Services Research
• Social Interventions
• Healthcare Delivery Models

Background:

• Peer navigation models in mental health are inspired by successful roles in community health since the 1960s.
• Early interventions utilizing peer support were observed during the HIV crisis and in cancer care.
• Existing literature outlines peer support and navigation within mental health services.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct an integrative review of studies on peer support and navigation in mental health services.
• To identify key themes and understand the emergent role and contribution of peer navigators.
• To fill a gap in evaluating detailed information on peer navigators' activities and support structures.

Main Methods:

• Systematic search of CINAHL, Scopus, and PsycINFO databases in July 2025.
• Inclusion of grey literature and hand searching.
• Analysis of 15 papers meeting inclusion criteria, excluding non-mental health-focused studies and those on consumer movements.

Main Results:

• Four key themes emerged: benefits for families/organizations, reciprocal gains from peer accountability, enhanced system navigation through shared understanding, and the need for role clarity.
• Studies primarily reported program effects on continuum of care outcomes.
• Identified a need for further research on peer navigators' impact on quality of life, self-advocacy, and management.

Conclusions:

• Peer navigation is a complex social intervention with significant potential in mental health care.
• Understanding the role, activities, and support structures of peer navigators is essential for improving quality and impact.
• Embracing individuals with lived experience as peer navigators is vital for partnership in care delivery.