Self-stigma, which comes from public stigma that’s been internalized, can have a significant negative impact on those of us living with mental illness. Peer support can help to reduce self-stigma, and I wanted to explore that and some of the other benefits that research has shown. Peer support can happen in a lot of different ways, including informally (e.g. in online communities), through stand-alone services (e.g. mutual support groups or peer support coaches), or as part of health care services. There seems to be a push towards traditional mental health services incorporating peer support specialists.
