A new future for mental health

Over many years Scottish Recovery Network and partners have helped mental health recovery move from the margins to the mainstream. As part of this peer support has become a more recognised part of the policy agenda, aligning with calls for prevention and early intervention supports, a mental health system led by lived experience knowledge and expertise, and community-based, recovery focused whole person services.

Peer Support in Scotland: Insight Report 1

This new Insight Report sets out the case for peer support as a core component of a recovery‑focused, people‑led mental health system. It’s the first in a series of four, developed to increase knowledge and understanding of the current and potential role of peer support in mental health recovery in Scotland. The report draws on evidence, lived experience and national data to highlight why peer support matters, the current picture, and the action now required at a national policy level. Peer support is not an optional add‑on. It is essential to delivering Scotland’s vision for mental health recovery and wellbeing.

Shaping Recovery in Scotland

How we’re making a difference

This report and executive summary are the culmination of nearly two years of work with Habitus Collective. They used a variety of methods to evaluate our work to better understand its impacts. The findings inform our thinking and planning for this year and into the future as we continue to work together with you to make mental health recovery real.

Strategic Plan

Our Strategic Plan ‘A new future for mental health’ outlines how we will work with others to create a mental health system powered by lived experience. It sets our our vision, mission, values and strategic aims. Over the next three years we will work with others to:

• Improve the engagement of people with lived experience in the development of mental health strategy and implementation
• Develop peer support opportunities and peer working roles across the mental health system
• Support the transformation of mental health services and supports through the adoption of recovery concepts and approaches