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Despite the emerging body of literature on the benefits of youth peer support, there is also evidence that peer support can have unintended negative impacts on peers themselves. It is important to explore what aspects of the peer role contribute to these difficulties in order to mitigate risks. This paper uses a participatory approach to examine the unique attributes of youth peer practice and the related challenges. We conducted semi-structured interviews and focus groups with both peer and non-peer staff from a community-based youth mental health program that provides peer support services (N = 29). Thematic analyses were completed using QSR NVivo. Analyses capture the defining features and related challenges of the peer support role (self-disclosure, boundaries, role confusion and dynamic recovery), and risk factors that affect peers (stigma, exposure to harm and burnout). This paper contributes to the literature on peer support as well as youth participatory evaluation. The findings will be useful to support the development of improved organizational contexts for peer practice and more effective peer support programming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The opioid crisis is an ever-growing issue nationwide. The role of peer support specialists has received widespread acceptance in the substance use and behavioral health spheres. However, there is a lack of standardization on the training required for peer support specialists to function as competent members of integrated behavioral health teams. We conducted qualitative focus groups with 14 practicing certified peer support specialists to determine their perceived educational needs. Inductive thematic analysis was used to analyze the data and six themes emerged: mental health and suicide prevention training, diversity, equity, and inclusion training, counseling skills training, family systems approach to care training, professionalism training, and taking care of self – mind, soul, and body training. To improve peer support specialists' confidence in their ability to competently perform their jobs, important topics need to be incorporated into their educational training and preparation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]