Unpaid cancer caregivers (UCCs) are the primary caretakers of individuals with cancer, often shouldering caregiver responsibilities without prior preparation, which leads to a sense of isolation, particularly in remote and rural areas where healthcare access is challenging. Thus, this systematic review aimed to explore the perceived and/or received peer support needs of UCCs residing in rural and remote areas with a specific focus on informational, practical, and emotional needs.

Seven databases (CINAHL, ScienceDirect, PUBMED/MEDLINE, PROQUEST, Web of Science, Scopus, and Informit) were searched from 2004 to 2024. Peer-reviewed qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method studies published in English were considered for this review. Data were extracted using the Joanna Briggs Institute System for Unified Management, Assessment, and Review of Information and presented using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses flow diagram. Quality and bias were assessed with the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool.

In total, 8 primary studies were included: 4 qualitative, 2 mixed methods, 1 cross-sectional, and 1 prospective survey. Four themes were identified: (1) Emotional, practical, and informational unmet needs; (2) Lack of peer support on the physical and emotional well-being of UCCs in remote and rural areas; (3) Lack of supportive services in remote and rural areas; and (4) Access to flexible peer support.

This review revealed the unique unmet needs of UCCs in remote and rural areas, where a lack of reliable and accessible resources adversely leads to impaired UCCs’ overall well-being. Addressing these unmet needs is essential to enhance the support system for UCCs living in such regions. By identifying the gaps, the review underscores the need for developing a peer support model tailored to the specific needs of UCCs in rural and remote communities.

Some adolescents can achieve academic success and maintain well-being despite their engagement in video gaming. Social factors may play a role in their vulnerability to mental health problems.

This study examined the role of perceived peer support and childhood experiences of optimal parenting in the association between video-gaming duration and depressive symptoms in adolescents.

A sample of 1071 adolescents (mean age 13.62 years, s.d. = 0.95) completed a questionnaire on video-game usage. Their perceptions of parental care and support since childhood were assessed using the Parental Bonding Instrument, whereas their perceived peer friend support was assessed using the friend support subscale of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Their depressive symptoms were measured using the depression subscale of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales. Moderated mediation analysis was conducted to examine the associations of these variables. Family socioeconomic status and symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder were included as covariates.

Longer durations of video gaming were associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms. The role of perceived peer support in this association was moderated by childhood experiences of optimal parenting. Specifically, the mediating role of perceived friend support was significant only for adolescents who lacked optimal parenting.

The relationship between frequent video gaming and depressive symptoms in adolescents is complex and may depend on the levels of peer and parental support. Lacking support from both parents and peers can increase adolescents’ risk of depression associated with frequent video gaming.

To evaluate whether and how drafting psychiatric advance directives (PADs) with the support of a peer worker improves recovery outcomes for individuals with severe mental illness.

A mixed-methods design was employed, combining quantitative data from a randomized trial with qualitative interviews. The trial included adults with schizophrenia, bipolar I disorder, or schizoaffective disorder who had experienced involuntary hospitalization in the past year. Participants either completed PADs with peer worker support or without specific facilitation. Recovery was assessed longitudinally using the Recovery Assessment Scale. Thematic analysis of interviews explored mechanisms underpinning the effectiveness of peer facilitation.

A total of 118 participants completed PADs, 84 with peer support. Mixed-effects regression analysis revealed significantly higher recovery scores for those supported by peer workers (coefficient = 4.77, p = 0.03). Qualitative findings highlighted two key mechanisms: peer workers’ boundary role fostering trust and relational symmetry and their facilitation practices promoting critical reflexivity and addressing past psychiatric trauma. Participants emphasized the flexibility and empathy of peer workers, which enabled deeper reflection and empowerment.

Peer facilitation enhances the drafting of PADs, significantly contributing to recovery through trust, critical reflection, and trauma-informed approaches. These findings support the integration of peer workers into PAD frameworks and emphasize the need for tailored training and systemic reforms to maximize their impact.

Early Intervention Psychosis Services (EIPS) provide multimodal interventions for young people who are at risk of, or have experienced, a first episode of psychosis. Although recent studies have begun to examine this critical period in a young person’s personal recovery in more depth, little is known about how young people experience EIPS in general, and its influences on their clinical and psychosocial recovery in particular.

This study aimed to explore young people’s experience of EIPS, specifically the factors that have affected their (a) clinical and (b) psychosocial recovery.

This study purposively sampled 27 young people from a range of backgrounds at 6 community-based EIPS in Australia. Audio-recorded, semi-structured interviews were conducted and reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse this data-set.

Four themes of how EIPS enabled recovery were identified. The first three - a safe space, unconditional support and active involvement – were foundational to a fourth theme of gradual self-management. In earlier-stage self-management, participants relied on practical supports to make connections and find education and employment opportunities. By later-stage self-management, they had developed the tools to do these things for themselves. Participants’ movement between earlier- and later-stage self-management was connected to their overall EIPS engagement and, for some, to their engagement with peer support.

Providing a safe space, unconditional support and active involvement for clients and their families created the foundational conditions for improved clinical and psychosocial recovery. Peer support programmes, increasing engagement when situational changes such as employment occur and the provision of culturally sensitive care appeared valuable to this process.

Psychosocial interventions for people with mental illness are increasingly focusing on facilitating recovery and self-care. Despite evidence from Europe on the short-term effects of recovery self-planning programs for people discharged from crisis resolution teams, similar programs and supporting evidence in other countries or healthcare contexts are lacking, particularly regarding cultural adaptation and long-term assessment. This randomized controlled trial compared a 4-month peer-facilitated, recovery-focused self-illness management (Peer-RESIM) program for Chinese adults with first-episode psychosis with psychoeducation (PE) and treatment as usual (TAU).

Patients (N = 198) were recruited from four Integrated Community Centres for Mental Wellness in Hong Kong and randomly assigned to the Peer-RESIM, PE, or TAU group (66/group). The primary outcomes were recovery and functioning levels; the secondary outcomes were psychotic symptoms, problem-solving ability, rehospitalization rate, and service satisfaction. Assessments were conducted at baseline and immediate, 9, and 18 months postintervention.

The generalized estimating equation test revealed that the Peer-RESIM group reported significantly greater improvements in recovery, functioning, problem-solving ability, psychotic symptoms, average duration of rehospitalizations, and service satisfaction (p = 0.01–0.04, small to large effect sizes) than the TAU group at all three posttests and the PE group at 18 months postintervention.

The Peer-RESIM can enhance long-term recovery and self-care in adults with early-stage psychosis.

Some trials have evaluated peer support for people with mental ill health in high-income, mainly English-speaking countries, but the quality of the evidence is weak.

To investigate the effectiveness of UPSIDES peer support in high-, middle- and low-income countries.

This pragmatic multicentre parallel-group wait-list randomised controlled trial (registration: ISRCTN26008944) with three measurement points (baseline and 4 and 8 months) took place at six study sites: two in Germany, and one each in Uganda, Tanzania, Israel and India. Participants were adults with long-standing severe mental health conditions. Outcomes were improvements in social inclusion (primary) and empowerment, hope, recovery, health and social functioning (secondary). Participants allocated to the intervention group were offered UPSIDES peer support.

Of the 615 participants (305 intervention group), 337 (54.8%) identified as women. The average age was 38.3 (s.d. = 11.2) years, and the mean illness duration was 14.9 (s.d. = 38.4) years. Those allocated to the intervention group received 6.9 (s.d. = 4.2) peer support sessions on average. Intention-to-treat analysis showed effects on two of the three subscales of the Social Inclusion Scale, Empowerment Scale and HOPE Scale. Per-protocol analysis with participants who had received three or more intervention sessions also showed an effect on the Social Inclusion Scale total score (β = 0.18, P = 0.031, 95% CI: 0.02–0.34).

Peer support has beneficial impacts on social inclusion, empowerment and hope among people with severe mental health conditions across diverse settings. As social isolation is a key driver of mental ill health, and empowerment and hope are both crucial for recovery, peer support can be recommended as an effective component of mental healthcare. Peer support has the potential to move global mental health closer towards a recovery- and rights-based orientation.

The aim of this rapid scoping review was to provide a summary of the available evidence on the development and implementation of peer support work in mental health services. The specific objectives were: to undertake a comprehensive review of the literature on peer support work; and identify how such work may be best implemented.

A rapid scoping review was identified as the most appropriate approach to reviewing the literature mainly because the objectives of this review were relatively broad and there was a short timeframe. In a rapid scoping review the data extraction and reporting are focused and limited to provide an overview of existing evidence.

From the initial database results of 7406 records, 663 were identified as meeting the inclusion criteria. The most relevant of these were then selected (n = 26) to be reported in this review with existing reviews of the research evidence (n = 7) being prioritised. The findings were organised into a number of sections: definitions, values and the role; development and implementation of peer support work; experiences of peer support workers; perceptions of others about peer support work; recruitment of peer support workers; training; supervision and support; and research on effectiveness.

There are excellent sources of guidance, considerable qualitative research about experiences and some encouraging, but limited, findings about the impact of peer support work specifically on recovery-oriented outcomes. There is a need for further rigorous research on the key aspects and effectiveness of peer support work.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) poses a substantial global health burden, necessitating effective and scalable interventions for primary prevention. Despite the increasing recognition of peer-based interventions in managing chronic diseases, their application in CVD prevention still needs to be explored.

We describe the protocol of a quasi-experiment to evaluate the effectiveness of a peer-led digital health lifestyle intervention, MYCardio-PEER, for a low-income community at risk for CVD. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of MYCardio-PEER in improving the participants’ knowledge, lifestyle behaviours and biomarkers related to CVD. Secondarily, we aim to assess the adherence and satisfaction of participants towards MYCardio-PEER.

A minimum total sample of 68 low-income community members at risk for CVD will be recruited and allocated either to the control group or the intervention group. Participants in the control group will receive standard lifestyle advice and printed materials for CVD prevention, while the intervention group will participate in the 8-week MYCardio-PEER intervention program. The participants will be assessed at Week 0 (baseline), Week 8 (post-intervention) and Week 20 (post-follow-up).

We anticipate a net improvement in CVD risk score, besides investigating the effectiveness of the intervention program on CVD-related knowledge, biomarkers, and diet and lifestyle behaviours. The successful outcome of this study is essential for various healthcare professionals and stakeholders to implement population-based, cost-effective, and accessible interventions in reducing CVD prevalence in the country.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06408493)

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is hallmarked by recurrent episodes of severe acute pain and the risk for chronic pain. Remote peer support programs have been shown to effectively improve health outcomes for many chronic conditions. The objective of this study was to examine the feasibility and acceptability of an online peer mentoring program (iPeer2Peer program) for adolescents with SCD.

A waitlist pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted. Adolescents randomized to the intervention group were matched with trained peer mentors (19–25 years; successfully managing their SCD), consisting of up to 10 sessions of approximately 30-min video calls over a 15-week period. The control group received standard care. The primary outcomes were rates of accrual, withdrawal, and adherence to iP2P program/protocol, with secondary outcomes identifying topics of mentorship–mentee conversations through qualitative analysis.

Twenty-eight participants (14 intervention; 14 control) were randomized to the study (mean age: 14.8 ± 1.7 years; 57% female). Accrual rate was 80% (28/35) and withdrawal rate was 18% (5/28), with 28% (4/14) adhering to the iP2P program; however, 71% (10/14) of adolescents in the intervention completed at least one call. Based on content analysis of 75 mentor–mentee calls, three distinct content categories emerged: impact of SCD, self-management, transitioning to adulthood with SCD, and general topics.

The results from this pilot study suggest that the current iteration of the iP2P SCD program lacks feasibility. Future research with the iP2P program can focus improved engagement via personalized mentoring, variable communication avenues, and an emphasis on gender.

Stigma of mental health conditions hinders recovery and well-being. The Honest, Open, Proud (HOP) program shows promise in reducing stigma but there is uncertainty about the feasibility of a randomized trial to evaluate a peer-delivered, individual adaptation of HOP for psychosis (Let's Talk).

A multi-site, Prospective Randomized Open Blinded Evaluation (PROBE) design, feasibility randomised controlled trial (RCT) comparing the peer-delivered intervention (Let's Talk) to treatment as usual (TAU). Follow-up was 2.5 and 6 months. Randomization was via a web-based system, with permuted blocks of random size. Up to 10 sessions of the intervention over 10 weeks were offered. The primary outcome was feasibility data (recruitment, retention, intervention attendance). Primary outcomes were analyzed by intention to treat. Safety outcomes were reported by as treated status. The study was prospectively registered: https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN17197043.

149 patients were referred to the study and 70 were recruited. 35 were randomly assigned to intervention + TAU and 35 to TAU. Recruitment was 93% of the target sample size. Retention rate was high (81% at 2.5 months primary endpoint), and intervention attendance rate was high (83%). 21% of 33 patients in Let's talk + TAU had an adverse event and 16% of 37 patients in TAU. One serious adverse event (pre-randomization) was partially related and expected.

This is the first trial to show that it is feasible and safe to conduct a RCT of HOP adapted for people with psychosis and individual delivery. An adequately powered trial is required to provide robust evidence.

Engaging with personal mental health stories has the potential to help people with mental health difficulties by normalizing distressing experiences, imparting coping strategies and building hope. However, evidence-based mental health storytelling platforms are scarce, especially for young people in low-resource settings.

This paper presents an account of the co-design of ‘Baatcheet’ (‘conversation’ in Hindi), a peer-supported, web-based storytelling intervention aimed at 16–24-year-olds with depression and anxiety in New Delhi, India.

Development comprised three stages: (1) establishing a logic model through consultations with a Young People’s Advisory Group (N = 11) and a stakeholder reference group (N = 20); (2) elaborating intervention guiding principles and components through focus group discussions and co-design workshops (N = 42); and (3) user-testing of prototypes.

The developmental process identified key stakeholder preferences for an online, youth-focused mental health storytelling intervention. Baatcheet uses an interactive storytelling website containing a repository of personal stories about young people’s experiences of depression and anxiety. This is offered alongside brief support from a peer.

There are few story-based interventions addressing depression and anxiety for young people, especially in low-resource settings. Baatcheet has the potential to deliver engaging, accessible and timely mental health support to young people. A pilot evaluation is underway.