Peer Support Services Across the Crisis Continuum
This paper offers promising and best practices to help circumvent current challenges for integrating peer support workers into the full crisis continuum. Specifically, it explores several resources available to states and organizations related to peers working in the crisis continuum, the definition and evolution of peer support services, and available national/federal guidance on the integration of peers and people with lived experience into the crisis continuum. Lastly, this technical assistance paper provides examples of the many states that are employing peers within crisis settings across the crisis continuum, overcoming challenges and barriers. This paper also looks at future directions to continue to ensure that this work evolves and grows in meaningful and positive directions.
Brinkley A, Volpe J: Peer Support Services Across the Crisis Continuum. Publication No. PEP24-01-019. Rockville, MD, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2024.
When There’s a Crisis, Call a Peer How People with Lived Experience Make Mental Health Crisis Services More Effective
Peer-led and peer-staffed organizations have been supporting individuals experiencingmental health crises for years, in some cases decades. The positive outcomes experiencedby individuals “in crisis” receiving peer support are, or should be, well known. Whenpeers support those in crisis, individuals who need help are less likely to be admitted toemergency rooms and hospitals to receive inpatient care. They are more likely to participatein community-based services—which can help them avoid future crises and resultinginstitutionalization or incarceration—and be more engaged in the services they receive.They experience less self-stigma and more self-empowerment and hope. They are less likelyto need crisis services in the future.
Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law,. (2024). When There’s a Crisis , Call a Peer How People with Lived Experience Make Mental Health Crisis Services More Effective. In https://www.bazelon.org/ (pp. 1–94). Retrieved from https://www.bazelon.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Bazelon-When-Theres-a-Crisis-Call-A-Peer-full-01-03-24.pdf
Factors Influencing the Implementation of Peer Support Specialists Within Mobile Crisis Teams: A Scoping Review of Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research Domains and Implementation Strategies
The involvement of peer support specialists in behavioral health crisis response is growing. While their roles in warm lines, crisis-receiving, and respite centers have been studied, their participation in mobile crisis teams remains under explored. This review identifies the contexts and strategies for implementing peer support within mobile crisis teams to inform broader adoption.
Tham, S. S., Na, S., & Solomon, P. (2025). Factors influencing the implementation of peer support specialists within mobile crisis teams: A scoping review of consolidated framework for implementation research domains and implementation strategies. Psychological Services. Advance online publication. https://dx.doi.org/10.1037/ser0000996