Connections and Breaking Stigma
With the changing lifestyle, mental health issues are also rising. Nevertheless, discussing mental health is still a stigma in many countries. Research says 75% of people facing mental issues in low-income countries do not seek treatment. In this regard, peer support in mental health can greatly help. This article discusses this popular, cost-effective option for mental health treatment.
Benefits of Peer Support in Mental Health Programs
As per the UN, the mental health crisis has risen from 25% to 27% in the last 4-5 years. To manage mental health issues, people should become more vocal about their problems.
Besides, they can also join effective programs like peer support to get the benefits like:
Meeting People with the Same Struggle
The main motive of the mental health peer group is to arrange small groups where individuals can meet and discuss their problems. People can encounter different others and establish a connection between them.
Better Communication
Communication is another great aspect of peer support in mental health programs. Individuals can meet and interact with different people and show compassionate attitudes to each other. Those who have become out of daily communication because of mental health can start talking again with like-minded people.
Learning Important Information
Learning is an integral part of peer support groups. Here everyone discusses how they have survived adverse mental health conditions. Others can learn a lot from these survival stories. These groups effectively break every stigma around mental health by sharing knowledge about mental health crises.
Affordable
No doubt, peer support in mental health is extremely affordable. As these programs do not fall under core treatment, people can afford these and get the benefits. Peer programs can reduce medical bills. Re-hospitalisation tendencies among people of peer groups are also very low. They can get well soon by in-patient treatment.
Specialist Services
A peer support group will provide specialist services that are highly effective for individuals’ mental health. People can expect:
- Efficient support workers who can offer expert guidance
- Goal setting
- Recovery Coaching
- Therapeutic groups
- Medication and Training from peer groups.
Helpful for Substance Abuse
These peer mental health support groups are extremely helpful for reducing substance abuse. Here people can learn and see the harmful effects of substance abuse and gain knowledge on how to handle the urge. It can help to build a healthier social environment.
Holistic Development
It is another great advantage of peer support groups. For example, NDIS recovery coach providers arrange peer programs where patients will also get effective solutions for their underlying health conditions. These health conditions may trigger mental illness and worsen the condition. Peer support groups can provide holistic development.
Caregivers should be aware of the peer programs and enrol their loved ones suffering from mental illness. Nowadays, different health organisations and NGOs are bringing peer support groups for mental illness to the forefront. So, people who are in dire need of help will be able to access peer support programs.
