Clients ’ Perspectives Regarding Peer Support Providers’ Roles and Support for Client Access to and Use of Publicly Funded Mental Health Programs Serving Transition-Age Youth in Two Southern California Counties

This study elicited TAY clients ’ perspectives on peer providers’ roles, responsibilities, and contribution to TAYs’ use of mental health services. In 2019, six focus groups were conducted with TAY clients (n=24) receiving publicly funded mental health services in Southern California. Results from this analysis included four themes that illustrated the role of peers as perceived by TAY clients, including: 1) building client–peer provider relationships, 2) engaging with mental health services, 3) role-modelling recovery and supporting skill acquisition to instill hope and empowerment, and 4) peer roles and experiences specific to racial/ethnic concordance. These findings provide needed perspectives on the evolving role of peer providers in mental health services programming for TAY clients.

Source: The Journal of Behavioral Health Services and Research - March 2, 2022 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Source Type: research