Effectiveness, acceptability and potential harms of peer support for self-harm in non-clinical settings: systematic review.
Nada Abou SeifRayanne John-Baptiste BastienBelinda WangJessica DaviesMette IsakenEllie BallAlexandra Laura PitmanSarah L RowePublished in: BJPsych open (2022)
Our findings highlighted a range of benefits of being part of a group with very specific shared experiences. Mitigations for potential risks include organisations using professional facilitators for groups, trigger warnings for online forums, and providing regular supervision and training so that peers are prepared and feel confident to support vulnerable people while maintaining their own emotional health.