Position Statement 37: The Role of Peer Support Services in the Creation of Recovery-Oriented Mental Health Systems
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Statement of Position:
Mental Health America believes that peer support is a unique and essential element of recovery-oriented mental health systems. Peer support programs provide an opportunity for consumers to direct their own recovery and advocacy process, and to teach one another the skills necessary to lead meaningful lives in the community.[i] Peer support services have demonstrated effective outcomes such as reduced isolation and increased empathic responses to consumers.[ii] Research has also shown that outcomes improve when consumers serve as peer specialists on case management teams.[iii]
The final report from the President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health states, “studies show that consumer-run services and consumer providers can broaden access to peer support, engage more individuals in traditional mental health services, and serve as a resource in the recovery of people with a psychiatric diagnosis.”[iv] The report goes on to describe how persons with psychiatric disabilities, because of their experiences, bring different attitudes, motivations and insights to mental health services.[v] The provision of mental health support services by persons who have experienced mental illnesses is the epitome of empathy, empowerment and, ultimately, recovery.
Peer support services are part of the array of services necessary for a culturally competent, recovery-based mental health system. Peer support services are equal partners to quality clinical care. However, Mental Health America recognizes that peer support should not be used as a cost-saving substitute for clinical services, especially during the current era of budgetary constraints. As means of insuring quality care, peer services should implement a credentialing process similar to that of clinical services. Both Georgia and New Jersey have been successful in developing credentialing programs for peer support workers.
Mental Health America recognizes that while the majority of peer support programs today are funded through state revenue, there is an opportunity and incentive to utilize Medicaid funds as a way to implement peer support services. Given the current fiscal crises that states are experiencing, Medicaid is increasingly being viewed as a means to fund mental health services. Georgia was the first state to implement successfully an independent peer support services program that bills Medicaid directly; approximately 9 other states reference peer support services in their Medicaid rehabilitation rules. It should be noted that Mental Health America prefers Medicaid funding without the extensive documentation requirements of other Medicaid programs. Many of these requirements can prove onerous to small agencies, consumer run or not.
Mental Health America urges Mental Health Associations, mental health service provider organizations and other advocates to make peer support an integral part of mental health service delivery and to insure that consumers are involved at multiple levels of planning and implementation of peer support services, including senior management positions in service programs. The President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health recommends that local, state and federal authorities encourage consumers and families to participate in planning and evaluating treatment and support services.[vi] Mental Health America supports the work of states and communities to incorporate peer support services into community-based mental health services, both as stand alone entities and in conjunction with other mental health services. Such activities will pave the way for implementation of recovery-oriented mental health systems.
Mental Health America recommends that each state set aside a substantial percentage of state funds for peer support programs.
Effective Period
The Mental Health America Board of Directors approved this policy on September 6, 2003. It will remain in effect for five (5) years and is reviewed as required by the Mental Health America Prevention and Adults Mental Health Services Committee.
Expiration: December 31, 2008
Effective Period
The Mental Health America Board of Directors approved this policy on September 6, 2003. It will remain in effect for five (5) years and is reviewed as required by the Mental Health America Prevention and Adults Mental Health Services Committee.
Expiration: December 31, 2008
[i] Sabin, J., Daniels, N. 2003. Strengthening the consumer voice in managed care: VII. The Georgia Peer Specialist Program. Psychiatric Services. Vol. 54 No. 4. pp 497-498.
[ii] Powell, 1994, Kurtz, 1997, Mowbray, et al., 1996 as cited in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute for Mental Health, 1999.
[iii] Fenton et al., 1995 as cited in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute for Mental Health, 1999.
[iv] New Freedom Commission on Mental Health, Achieving the Promise: Transforming Mental Health Care in America. Final Report. DHHS Pub. No. SMA-03-3832. Rockville, MD: 2003.
Page last updated: 09/20/2007