Canada’s national mental health strategy says peer support is an essential component of mental health services—but also recognizes it’s not yet seen as a core part of the recovery process
The Mental Health Strategy for Canada promotes peer support as an essential component of mental health services. In particular, it recommends an increased number of peer support opportunities and the development of national guidelines for peer support.
The Mental Health Commission of Canada recognizes that “peer support does work: people who have lived experience with mental illness can offer those in recovery substantial benefits. The development of personal resourcefulness and empowerment—the foundation of peer support—not only improves people’s lives but also saves money by reducing the use of more formal mental health, medical and social services. But to enhance the use of peer support, the mindset inherent in the healthcare system itself must first be changed.”
Are peer support programs seen as dispensable?
On June 4, 2013, West Coast Mental Health Network (a peer-support mental health program in British Columbia) was informed by its funder, Vancouver Coastal Health, that the health authority was going to pull its funding for the program—completely—by December 1, 2013. The news came abruptly and without warning. The health authority assured the peer support network the move “was strictly a financial and budget decision, with no bearing on…worth as an organization or the quality of…programming.” The decision was apparently based on Vancouver Health Authority’s imperative to focus on “core health services.”
The cut to West Coast Mental Health Network was one of five funding cuts made by the health authority in June. Other affected groups included: The Art Studios, Access Community through English (ACE) Program, British Columbia Schizophrenia Society, and Mood Disorders Association of B.C. The Art Studios, a nationally-recognized art therapy program, will close its doors in 60 days.
Are peer support programs seen as being dispensable? The Mental Health Commission of Canada says that peer support initiatives are undervalued and require more (not less) funding:
Peer support programs can help alleviate some of the pressure on Canada’s strained healthcare system by reducing not only the need for hospitalization but also the emotional distress experienced by patients. They also help people develop the skills they need to take charge of their lives. Yet despite these benefits, peer support is still undervalued by the mental health community.
Peer support must continue to grow throughout Canada’s healthcare system, becoming a core part of the recovery process rather than an adjunct. People can experience remarkable improvements in their lives through relatively small investments in peer support—but growing and sustaining such initiatives requires adequate funding.
West Coast Mental Health Network provides ten different peer support groups, including groups focusing on cultural arts, men’s issues, a Latin American group, and a co-ed volleyball/badminton group. The network says that “every group strives to offer a compassionate, encouraging environment where members can benefit from fellowship and social interaction.”
We speak with Michael Hejazi, who facilitates the Education, Engagement and Empowerment group at West Coast Mental Health Network.
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