Diary of a Mental Health Peer Worker

Findings From a Diary Study Into the Role of Peer Work in a Clinical Mental Health Setting

Bibliographic Data

ID15529720
AuthorsMarianne Wyder (0000-0002-8877-4232, Metro South Health, corresponding author), Helena Roennfeldt (0000-0002-4569-1226, RMIT University), Stephen Parker (0000-0002-6022-3981, Metro South Health), Gabrielle Vilic (Metro South Health), Karen McCann (Metro South Health), C Ehrlich (0000-0002-5101-9348, Griffith University), Frances Dark (0000-0002-8776-207X, Metro South Health), Frances Louise Dark
Year2020
Volume11
Pages587656-587656
Publication date2020-12-17
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Psychiatry (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1664-0640 • E-ISSN: 1664-0640
PublisherFrontiers Media (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpsyt.2020.587656
PMID33391052
OpenAlexW3110881449
LanguageEN
Citations received7
References cited29

Introduction: The importance of peer support workers in mental health care delivery has been extensively advocated for in mental health policy frameworks. However, there has been limited research examining the implementation of paid peer workers in clinical settings. This study explores the experience of paid peer support workers integrated within a clinically-operated community-based residential rehabilitation service for people diagnosed with a mental health disorder experiencing challenges living independently in the community. Methods: A general inductive approach was taken in the analysis of diaries completed by a newly employed peer workforce. These diaries focussed on what they viewed as significant interactions in fulfilling their role. Composite vignettes were generated to illustrate key themes. Findings: Thirty-six diaries were provided; these reported unplanned and spontaneously occurring interactions. Peer workers emphasized the importance of connecting with people while they were engaging in everyday activities as an opportunity for personal growth of the residents. The diaries also focussed on the peer workers' ability to connect and establish trust by sharing similar experiences with residents or family members. Peer workers also believed that they brought a different perspective than clinical staff and were able to refocus attention from clinical diagnoses and symptoms to other aspects of the resident's lives. Discussion: Peer support workers described their work as flexible, responsive, and adaptable to the resident's needs. They believed that their roles brought a different lens to interactions on the unit and fostered a more inclusive and personal way of working for the team. Conclusion: To ensure that peer workers can engage authentically with residents and family members, it is critical that the role and principles of peer work are valued and understood by all

Mental health · Peer group · Peer review · Peer support · Perspective (graphical · Psychiatry · Workforce · Healthcare innovation and challenges · Homelessness and Social Issues · Medicine · Mental Health and Patient Involvement · Nursing · Psychology · Social Psychology