Group peer support boosts recovery in Danish community trial

A sign reads community is strength

A Danish RCT of the 10-week PEER (Paths to Everyday Life) group programme found meaningful gains in personal recovery, functioning and quality of life for adults with mental health difficulties.

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Peer support has UPSIDES for global mental health

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The UPSIDES trial demonstrates that peer support is effective across diverse global contexts, from high-income to low-income countries. While overall social inclusion scores didn’t reach significance, participants showed reduced isolation and increased empowerment and hope. This landmark study proves peer support can be successfully adapted to different cultural settings while maintaining core recovery-oriented principles.

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Digital peer support: cure-all or dystopia?

An illustration of two people looking at each other. A wire loops around the image, connecting the two people from sockets in their necks.

This meta-analysis of digital peer support interventions reports positive effects, but major gaps remain. Without a clear definition of what ‘digital peer support’ even means, are we at risk of losing the radical heart of this work?

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Psychosis and loneliness: two struggles, one endless loop

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A group of UCL MSc students reflect on a qualitative review looking at the experience of loneliness among people with psychosis, which makes actionable clinical suggestions to enhance connection and address isolation.

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Crisis cafés: so much more than a cuppa

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Nicola Clibbens and Daisy Mbwanda write about Crisis Cafés – a novel form of community-based crisis alternative, and a recent small-scale interview study, which provides the first evidence on their UK implementation.

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Peer support interventions delivered by paid peer and family workers: an umbrella review

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Magenta Simmons and Belle Boland consider an umbrella review on the effectiveness and implementation of peer support interventions in mental health.

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Post-traumatic growth in refugees and asylum seekers: reclaiming life through shared stories and community

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Jeremy Lyons summarises an updated systematic review on post-traumatic growth among refugee and asylum-seeking populations, which provides insights into coping mechanisms that help refugees grow after trauma, such as religion, employment and psychological support.

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Prisonization: how does prison impact on the mental health of prisoners? Insights from Norway

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Verity Wainwright explores a qualitative study from Norway, which looks into prisoners understanding of mental health and the prison environment.

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Antidepressant withdrawal: recommendations for support from people with lived experience

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Hannah Bowers summarises a study exploring the need for antidepressant withdrawal support, from 708 survey respondents with lived experience.

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‘Hearing Voices’ and self-help groups: hope and support for people who hear voices

Hallucinations,,Delirium,In,Ekw,Tunnel.

Lorna Collins reflects on a systematic review exploring the benefits of Hearing Voices and other self-help groups for people with auditory hallucinations.

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