First Steps: What we Need

Defining Needs Analysis Parameters Report

As a starting point, the first activity that the PEER2PEER project undertook, was to ask the future peer support workers about what they felt they needed in order to use their expertise to assist their peers. In this study, 124 people, 68 women and 56 men, between the ages 30 and 50 took part.

At the time of this research, most of the respondents were attending training activities; the majority of participants took part in activities during their free time that matched their interests. One piece of feedback that was consistently given by respondents throughout the interviews was the importance of having a positive attitude and the will to overcome difficulties. They stressed the importance of the existence of a supportive environment and a space where they can be heard.

Participants highlighted the importance of support to avoid relapse after a period without being admitted. They named the various sources or types of support that can be received or utilised such as: relatives, classmates, friends, clubhouses or associations, professional assistance or support from other mental health in-patients. Interestingly, in many cases, the respondents identified support from someone who has experience in similar situations and first hand knowledge of the complexity of each individual’s path, as an effective method of assistance. Without the support of someone who really understands how they feel, “it is as if no one knew how to fix the problem”.

In addition, participants identified the barriers that hinder their own recovery process. These included economic problems, family problems, lack of employment opportunities and/ or independence, alcohol/drugs, medication, loneliness after admission to a facility, stigmatisation, low self-esteem (lack of motivation and apathy) and discrimination.

Most respondents would like to help other people with similar problems (the average response indicating a level of 4.09 on a scale of 1 to 5). 25% of participants also indicated that they felt that they would be able to perform this task to a good standard, with relative comfort and in a manner that would be of real benefit to other people with the appropriate support. These individuals can show that although they ‘must live with the possibility of relapse”, a change in perspective, further knowledge and training will help people with mental health issues to overcome this fear. Even if participants do not consider themselves as examples of recovery, they still acknowledge that they have learned from the steps they have taken and the setbacks they have faced.

When identifying points that need to be strengthened to become professional peer support worker, the primary difficulties identified were the ability to manage stress and the difficulty with disconnecting or maintaining a necessary distance from the situation. Almost 50% of respondents anticipate empathy, self-esteem and communication problems. Many participants fear that they will not be able to strengthen the capacities of others.

After interviewing 124 people with mental health problems who are well advanced along their road to recovery, there has been a clear indication given of their hopes for this project. It is apparent that participants are motivated and keen to help others. Despite the barriers to overcome that they have identified such as the stress of facing a situation similar to one’s own, communication problems and fears, participants wish to use their experiences to pass hope on to others.