Does peer support enhance recovery outcomes : a rapid realist review informed design

Abstract

My research question was "How, why, for whom, in what contexts and to what extent does peer support contribute (if at all) to recovery outcomes for people with first episode psychosis?" People who have experienced first episode psychosis show benefits from having a mental health peer support worker in clinical programs. A finding is that the peer support role impacts the client, the team including the peer support worker, and the organization. Peer support is shown to be a benefit over cost in administrative costs, likely in recovery outcomes for the client and positive impacts on decreasing stigma in the workplace and clinical settings. More research is needed to explore mental health peer support relationship at a client to peer support level although there appears to be benefit from the early evidence. Keywords: First Episode Psychosis, Peer Support, Mental Health, Recovery, System Transformation, Realist