Peer support has a vital role to play but misconceptions are getting in the way
Writing for The Scotsman, our Projects Coordinator Catriona McDougall, challenges some of these misconceptions and explains why peer support has such a crucial role to play in suicide prevention.
Read the full feature on The Scotsman website
But the problem is that peer support is often misrepresented as inferior to clinical approaches. What could be seen as part of the answer to a struggling mental health system is at times wrongly dismissed as too risky or not evidence based. These misconceptions can be dangerous at both an individual and systems level.
Preventing someone from reaching out to access peer support that is immediate and tailored to their needs. Limiting sustainable investment in, and collaboration with peer support services that are providing robust and essential support in communities. Support that has the flexibility to work across sectors to provide early intervention and ongoing support for those in distress.
Catriona McDougall, Projects Coordinator, Scottish Recovery Network
Interested in the role of peer support in suicide prevention? Take a look at our Creating Hope with Peer Support project.
