The Charter of Peer Support has been developed to ensure that peer support services are available to consumers and carers when and where we need it.
Developed by men and women and their family members who have lived through a range of mental health issues.
This Charter has been developed and written by and for Consumers and Carers with the assistance and resources provided by the seven state-wide specialist Peer Support (MSSHN) organisations listed on page 7 of this document. This document reflects the importance that the writers place on Peer Support and the value that this service provides in the continuum of care of consumers and carers experiencing mental health issues at any time in their life.
The Charter of Peer Support was launched alongside the Centre of Excellence in June 2011, and continues to advocate for inclusion of robust peer support models in mental health service provision. Written by and for people with a lived experience of mental health issues, the Charter is also currently being used to aid the development of similar documents internationally.
The Charter seeks to:
• Assist key stakeholders to understand and appreciate the value and power of peer support as a means of preventing the escalation of mental health issues and promoting emotional, physical and spiritual well-being
• Highlight the validity and value of peer support as an integral method of service delivery for consumers and carers of mental health services
• Promote shared understandings of peer support
• Promote peer support services as a cost effective part of the mental health system
• Promote consumer and carer involvement, participation and empowerment