Viewpoint: Peer support workers: an untapped resource in primary mental health care

Abstract

The treatment of moderate to severe mental illness in a primary health care setting is an area under development and can be contentious. The capacity, capability, resourcing and willingness of staff and organisations all feature in the discussions among specialist services and primary health care providers about the opportunities and barriers associated with primary mental health care. This paper presents the peer support worker as an untapped resource that has the potential to support the patient, primary health care staff, and general practitioner in the care of people who fall outside the current understanding of 'mild' mental health problems, but who would nonetheless benefit from receiving their care in a primary health care setting. KEYWORDS: General practice; mental health; mental health services, community; primary health care