Understanding Peerness in Recovery-Oriented Mental Health Care

Emotional and interpersonal support systems are fundamental to recovery-oriented support programs. Peerness represents the quality of shared lived experience that enhances such support programs. Through peerness, providers of formal peer support (FPS) strategically disclose their lived experience to help service recipients reach their goals. FPS disclosure is limited compared with the kind of free sharing in mutual support programs, with FPS focusing on information that specifically helps service recipients on their recovery journey. Peerness has additional value for shared experiences relevant for diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. This Open Forum also considers where peerness conceptually fits into research of recovery-based services.