Mental Health Commission

Peer Support

The Commission recognises that peer-support services can play a key role in recovery and well-being. Previous work has advocated for the development of peer supports in New Zealand

The Commission recognises that peer-support services can play a key role in recovery and well-being. Previous work has advocated for the development of peer supports in New Zealand and Te Hononga describes 2015 as a time when peer supports are "integrated across the sector and complement other services available". It also states:

Peer support builds on the connections between people with similar experiences. It values the insights and knowledge gained from having ‘been there' and involves the mutual giving and receiving of support. In 2015, people with experience of mental illness and/or addiction will deliver a diverse range of peer supports available to all service users and their family/whānau. (Commission, 2007, p 68)

A previous review undertaken on behalf of the Commission concluded that the international research on service-user-led services reported very positive outcomes for those using the services. However, it was also found that there were a wide range of  models or service types covered by the literature and that it was not possible to identify any specific model(s) that would be better than others for use in the New Zealand mental health and addiction sector.

Te Hononga and the Mental Health Commission Amendment Act 2007. The 2007/08 Peer Support Project focuses on promoting the building of peer-support services through increasing knowledge of the most appropriate model(s) for further development in New Zealand.

In particular the 2007/08 project aims to:

  • provide a review of recent research on peer supports - not to duplicate those included in the review released in 2005
  • outline various models of peer support
  • identify critical components of effective peer supports.


* The Effectiveness of Service User-Run or Service User-Led Mental Health Services for People with Mental Illness: A Systematic Literature Review (Commission, 2005)

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