Peer-led groups may reduce shame and raise confidence and willingness to seek help

The review

1. 01

   Who took part

   763 people with mental health problems took part in eight trials. Most were women, and five trials were in the United States. The groups included teenagers, college students, and middle-aged or older adults.

2. 02

   What they did

   Trained peers led groups for 3 to 10 weeks. Most trials used the Honest, Open, Proud programme, which covers when to tell others about a mental illness. Two others used family support or photo-based storytelling. The other groups got usual care, a waiting list, or home education.

3. 03

   What happened

   Peer-led groups reduced shame and stress from stigma. People felt more confident and more willing to seek help, and recovery and empowerment improved, though not clearly. Low mood and anxiety did not change clearly; some of the paper's numbers do not add up.

What the review found

1. Helped

   Across three trials, peer-led groups raised confidence in their own abilities more than waiting lists or usual care did.

   • Rule: Practise with a groupused

   Pooled analysis of 3 studies with 250 people · vs waiting lists or usual care · they rated themselves · ⚠ whole programmes were tested, so no single part can be credited

2. Helped

   Across two trials, peer-led groups raised people's willingness to seek professional help more than usual care did.

   • Rule: Practise with a groupused

   Pooled analysis of 2 studies with 122 people · vs usual care · they rated themselves · ⚠ whole programmes were tested, so no single part can be credited

Source