This document is fundamentally grounded in experiential expertise - Peer Support Workers are specifically defined as staff with personal lived experience of mental health challenges, substance use, caring for someone with mental health issues, or navigating mental health services themselves, enabling authentic understanding and support.
Peer Support Workers in Mental Health
Overview
Northern Health's information sheet explains Peer Support Workers - staff with lived experience of mental health challenges who provide non-clinical support to consumers and carers. They offer understanding, advocacy, and guidance but don't provide clinical assessments, case management, or emergency services. Available across multiple service locations.
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Key insights
Key Insights:
- Peer workers have lived experience of mental health challenges
- They provide non-judgmental listening and emotional support to consumers
- Available in inpatient units, community health, and specialised programs
- Support offered via phone, telehealth, and face-to-face meetings
- Cannot provide clinical assessments, diagnosis, or medication decisions
- Don't offer case management or psychosocial support services
- Not an emergency service - crisis calls go elsewhere
- Available to consumers, families, and carers accessing services
Did this resource draw on transformative evidence?
This resource did not draw on practice wisdom.
This resource did not rely on reseearch and evaluation. It is a fact sheet about peer workers.