TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2024//
TI  - Examining the experiences of student peer support workers delivering care within post-secondary institutions
JO  - Journal of American college health
A1  - Dimitropoulos, Gina
A1  - Cullen, Emma
A1  - Hews-Girard, Julia C.
A1  - Patten, Scott B.
A1  - MacPherson, Pauline
A1  - Shah, Jai
A1  - Friese, Kevin
A1  - Wiens, Kevin
A1  - Lipton-Bos, Bonny
A1  - Vallianatos, Helen
A1  - Szeto, Andrew C. H.
A1  - Ferrari, Manuela
A1  - Iyer, Srividya
SP  - ePub
EP  - ePub
VL  - ePub
IS  - ePub
N2  - OBJECTIVE: Despite experiencing exacerbation of mental health issues, post-secondary students may not seek help due to perceived stigma, overreliance on the self, or preference for nonprofessional supports - including peer support. This study aimed to understand peer support workers' (PSWs) perspectives regarding providing support for mental health concerns in post-secondary institutions. <br><br>METHODS: 41 PSWs were recruited from two post-secondary institutions. 17 semi-structured interviews and three focus groups were conducted. Themes were identified using a qualitative descriptive approach. <br><br>RESULTS: Three themes emerged: (1) diverse presentations and approaches to operationalizing peer support for mental health issues on campus exist; (2) peer support has core ingredients; (3) reasons why students access peer support extend beyond mental health crisis. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: An inclusive peer support approach to mental health is needed for post-secondary students. Considerations for implementation hinge on providing standardized, foundational training to prepare PSWs for the complex mental health issues that present across services.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0744-8481
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2024.2378291
ID  - ref1
ER  -