Table 7 Overview of key findings

1. What is the effectiveness (e.g. clinical, social, functional) and cost-effectiveness of paid peer support approaches for mental health?

23 reviews

• Results were mixed.

• There was some evidence from meta-analyses that peer support may improve depression symptoms (particularly perinatal depression), self-efficacy, and recovery.

2. What influences the implementation of peer support approaches for mental health?

9 reviews

• Factors promoting successful implementation, included adequate training and supervision, a recovery-oriented workplace, strong leadership and a supportive and trusting workplace culture with effective collaboration.

• Barriers included lack of time, resources and funding, and lack of recognised PSW certification.

3. What are the experiences of peer support approaches for mental health (e.g. of acceptability) from the perspective of PSWs, healthcare practitioners, service users, carers?

11 reviews

Three overarching themes:

• ‘What the PSW role can bring’, including recovery and improved wellbeing for service users and PSWs.

• ‘Confusion over the PSW role’, including role ambiguity and unclear boundaries.

• ‘Organisational challenges and impact’, including low pay, negative non-peer staff attitudes, and lack of support and training.