How do peer support workers engage and empower clients to participate in their own care and decision making?

In peer support, the relationship formed between individuals is, without a doubt, the vehicle for change. Success can only come after a successful rapport has been established and there has been a sharing of experiences.

Being a good listener is mandatory. What the person is sharing is what is most important. As a dual peer, I listen for clues to what the person wants and needs the most. This takes time! For change to happen, the person needs to take ownership of their recovery. I can try to use Prochaska's Stages of Change and Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs all I want and it will do nothing until we find out what that person desires of their life. Yes, I have hundreds of hours of training/education, but my lived experience is just as important when I strive to understand what another person is going through.

Peers bring with them their experiences (including others' perspectives on their recovery journeys as they continue to walk along their recovery journeys together) and can help people to better "digest" the clinical information they may have received or be seeking in "real life terminology" not in clinical jargon. Such jargon can demean or confuse people who are trying their best to live their best lives despite challenges. Peers can role play advocating for one's needs, wishes, and rights. Peers can help people realize their strengths and innate abilities. Peers help people develop their strengths in their work together.

Peer support workers should have a good working knowledge of topics relevant and related to all things mental health (and SUD) so that they can provide a peer to peer psychoeducation on things that their individual might be struggling with. Education is key and part of peer support is providing resources and tools to assist their peer in overcoming barriers to wellness.

Self-care strategies are the most important tools that peers can model for those they support. There should also be a focus on helping the peer integrate back into their community. If it already exists, don’t recreate the wheel. Peer support is also about reciprocity. The helper can often learn just as much from those they are helping. Mutual respect is a foundational component of peer support.

Support means many things to different people. If a person wants to talk about the past or the present, I will listen. If they have questions about programs that are being offered to them by a case manager, I can discuss my experiences there. Many people are reluctant to do therapy. My MH therapy helped me and it allowed me to progress farther than I ever imagined. I never suggest therapy unless the person brings it up. Then I support their decision either way.

It absolutely must be their choice. Change has to come from within. For one peer, I bought him a small notebook and pen so he could write down questions or ideas for us to discuss. This increased our two way communication and he made real progress, but at his own pace.

Getting the peer involvement in their own planning process is so important. They should be given a voice in everything about them that happens in and outside (clinically). Giving them choices and options is also so important. So often, the voice is taken away. Help peers regain their autonomy by giving them a voice.

So often, survivors of the mental health system lose their hope. For their wellness and for the future. The most important thing a peer can do is to hold the hope for their individuals so that they can eventually get their hope back and rediscover their reason for moving forward.

I was blessed to be part of an ACT team that was very involved with several very knowledgeable persons taking part. This increased our effectiveness with every person we worked with.

I am fortunate to, currently, be in a position where I will be interacting with as many service providers and support systems as possible in a large geographic area and rural setting with, sometimes, very limited options or knowledge of what services are available. In my role, I get to use my lived experiences from both my personal and professional roles. I will hopefully get to assist many people with finding their "best fit" for supports for their journeys within their communities on their own terms.