Between Lived Experience and Professionalisation: Can Personal Assistance Redefine Peer Support in Mental Health?

BACKGROUND/

objectivesThe incorporation of peer support within mental health services has shown benefits for service users' recovery and engagement, yet implementation is often hindered by role ambiguity and limited institutional recognition. The aim of this study is to explore the experiences of workers in a programme that provides peer support within a personal assistance model. The focus is on how they perceive the shaping of their professional role and their integration within care teams, rather than on evaluating service outcomes or effectiveness.

methodsAn interpretive qualitative methodology with an exploratory approach was used. The study was conducted in a single organisational setting and focused on the self-reported experiences of personal assistants. Fieldwork was conducted in 2025 with ten personal assistants. Data were obtained through individual semi-structured interviews and one focus group with the same participants. A thematic content analysis combining inductive and deductive coding strategies was conducted using MAXQDA (version 24.11).

resultsFindings indicate that the Personal Assistant role was perceived as reducing some of the ambiguity commonly associated with peer support, due to a clearer contractual framework and a more explicit delineation of functions. However, tensions persisted in relation to its hybrid professional identity, experiences of task overload, and ongoing gaps in coordination with traditional professional roles. Key facilitators included institutional support, accessible coordination, a supportive culture of care, and informal peer networks. Perceived benefits were reported for service users, including increased trust, hope, and autonomy, as well as for assistants, who described enhanced professional purpose and progress in their own recovery, alongside risks of emotional strain.

conclusionsAnalysing the perspective of participants, the personal assistance model may represent a promising framework for the professionalisation of peer support through functional clarity, continuous supervision, and recognition of experiential knowledge. Further progress requires strengthening internal communication, expanding training opportunities, and enhancing the structural participation of personal assistants in decision-making. The study contributes an exploratory qualitative perspective to the growing literature on integrating lived-experience professionals into mental health services.