Dataset Information

More 'milk' than 'psychology or tablets': Mental health professionals' perspectives on the value of peer support workers.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Though growing numbers of peer support workers are employed in the UK National Health Service (NHS), conflicts persist between core values of peer support and values which exert power within these services.

Objectives

To explore what NHS mental health professionals value about the peer support worker role.

Design

Five professionals from different professions and mental health settings were interviewed twice. The first interviews explored their experiences of working with peers. Transcripts were analysed using discourse analysis and psychosocial theory. Second interviews allowed participants to respond to the analysis and influence subsequent analysis.