The role of peer support in addressing inequalities of access to mental and physical health care

Introduction

People from racially marginalised communities can be at elevated risk of poor metabolic health, compounded by higher rates of diagnosis of SMI. Healthy lifestyle interventions are generally not culturally adapted. Research suggests that peer support can engage people with services and connect people to community support for their health and wellbeing, but that people from different cultural communities' experience and benefit from peer support in different ways.



Methods

We report two studies that aimed to explore understandings and experiences of peer support among people from a range of cultural communities.



In a community participatory research project, community researchers interviewed nine women from South Asian communities in London about their experiences and understandings of peer support. In our second study, we interviewed 18 peer workers and people offered peer support in mental health services in London and Birmingham, from Black British, Asian British and mixed ethnic groups. A Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP) played a key role in developing and piloting interview schedules. Interviews were analysed using a discursive, interpretive workshop approach involving community researchers and LEAP members.



Results

Results from both studies explored peer support within communities and across cultural difference, foregrounding a gap that peer support can fill between support offered by family and community, and care provided by mental health services. Peer support enabled people to connect to preventative care for their mental and physical health.

 

Discussion / Conclusion

Findings indicated the potential for community-driven, culturally appropriate approaches to peer support to address inequalities of access and experience of mental health care.