Hi @MDT
Do you know much about the peer work environment overseas ? UK for example?
Yes, similar to Australia, other countries such as USA, UK, New Zealand, Canada etc, have been growing their peer support workforces!
Interestingly, it's a widely misunderstood timeline for a Peer Workforce- a lot of people think that peer work is new, but the Peer Workforce has been around and growing since the 1990s (although language has changes so we were called things like "Consumer Consultant" "Patient Liaison" or "Consumer Representative"). However in recent times, it has grown in recognition of the value that peer support plays in the recovery journey, a big part in thanks to our amazing advocates, allies and lived experience researchers. I always find this interesting, that the grass roots of peer support (people supporting people) is first documented more than 300 years ago in France- it even pre-dates psychiatry. This is important because the history of peer work and peer support, tells us why it is becoming an international movement and changemaker in the mental health system... it is growing because peer work, works 🙂
In the USA, Peers are a really established and part of the mental health care system in America and can be accessed in the same way you would access a counsellor, psychiatrist or psychologist. They have a peak registration body similar to all other disciplines, which makes this possible. Here is an example of the National Practice Guidelines in America (NAPS is their registration body).
In the UK and Canada we are seeing peer work embedded across all areas of mental health service delivery, similar to Australia. Peers work in community settings, inpatient settings, in advocacy, not for profit, research etc. Having come from the youth peer support sector before SANE, there are some awesome examples of peer work out there. Jigsaw in the UK are doing awesome work in the youth peer support space for example. In a lot of places, countries are formalising their peer support with clearer guidance, standards and practice to ensure that peer work in consistently delivered to a high standard.
The last example I will share that is worth looking at are New Zealand examples. I met an amazing person working for an organisation called Te Pou. They have done a lot of work in developing competencies for Peer Work, that are applied by services in practice. Peer Work in New Zealand also looks similar to Australia, but they have some pretty incredible world leaders in their midst. Intentional Peer Support (IPS) training for example operates out New Zealand, and they are doing some amazing things in peer support.
Overall, Peer Work and more broadly, the Lived Experience Workforce, is really growing and developing significantly. We truly are the embodiment of recovery oriented practice, and in future I anticipate we will see more growth and development beyond frontline roles, to also see lived experience designated roles from Senior Leadership down in many organisations across the world (it's already beginning!)
