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Table 1 Different Real-World Models of Peer Support

From: The effectiveness of peer support from a person with lived experience of mental health challenges for young people with anxiety and depression: a systematic review

Model

Description

Delivery Methods

Specific Model Benefits

Example

One-on-one (individual)

Peer Support between two people. Most likely involving a professional third-party to link the two people together

Face to face, Phone, Online

Tailored for the individual

One-on-one Peer Support Appointments (Orygen; https://oyh.org.au/client-hub/peer-support-team/1-1-peer-support-appointments)

Group peer-to-peer support

Groups share a lived experience. May be structured and organised, however, no formal facilitator. Can be independent or tied to a larger network

Face to face, Online

Tailored to the shared lived experience. Can be informal and include social activities

Grow (https://www.grow.org.au/)

Peer-led groups

Peer-Leaders sharing their lived experience to support and educate others similar to themselves. Can be workshops or structured group peer support often tied to a larger network

Face to face, Online

Tailored to the shared lived experience, may have educational aspects

Hearing Voices Network (https://www.hearing-voices.org/)

Groups co-facilitated by peer and traditionally qualified expert (e.g. clinician)

Often involves professional health services, where a group of people with a shared lived experience are supported by both an expert and peer. Can be structured and formal

Face to face, Online

Tailored to both group and individual, may have educational and treatment aspects

Headspace centres (https://headspace.org.au/headspace-centres/sunshine/youth-peer-support-at-headspace-sunshine/)

Online peer support

Can be one-on-one or group format. May have professional involvement through moderators. Mostly peer-to-peer support through forums

Online

Can be anonymous

Side by Side (Mind; https://sidebyside.mind.org.uk/)

  1. Adapted from: https://www.nationalvoices.org.uk/peer-support-hub/peer-support-models-explained
  2. NB: All models may be provided in either a traditional service (e.g., community mental health service) or peer-led service; additionally, all models may be designed for mental health challenges in general or specific concerns (e.g., vocational peer support).