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Peer Support for Youth with Mental Health Concerns: A Scoping Review
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  • Dan Devoe,
  • Aliya Jomha,
  • Connor Campbell,
  • Julia Hews-Girard,
  • Alida Anderson,
  • Aisouda Savadlou,
  • Marina Jarenova,
  • Amlish Munir,
  • Ana Ramirez Pineda,
  • Scott Patten,
  • Jai Shah,
  • Srividya Iyer,
  • Gina Dimitropoulos
Dan Devoe
Mount Royal University Department of Psychology

Corresponding Author:djadevoe@ucalgary.ca

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Aliya Jomha
Mount Royal University Department of Psychology
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Connor Campbell
Mount Royal University Department of Psychology
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Julia Hews-Girard
University of Calgary Faculty of Social Work
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Alida Anderson
Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research & Education
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Aisouda Savadlou
Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research & Education
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Marina Jarenova
Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research & Education
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Amlish Munir
Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research & Education
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Ana Ramirez Pineda
University of Calgary Faculty of Social Work
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Scott Patten
University of Calgary Department of Community Health Sciences
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Jai Shah
McGill University Department of Psychiatry
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Srividya Iyer
McGill University Department of Psychiatry
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Gina Dimitropoulos
Mount Royal University Department of Psychology
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Abstract

Short title of the paper … Introduction: Peer support has increasingly been integrated into youth mental health programs globally. Peer support workers are an important ally in an individual’s recovery journey, providing both emotional and instrumental support and advocacy through their lived experiences. Objectives: To conduct a scoping review examining peer support services for youth with mental health concerns. Methods: This scoping review was prospectively registered with The Open Science Framework and followed the PRISMA scoping review extension checklist. In consultation with a health services librarian, seven electronic databases (i.e., MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Embase, SocINDEX, ERIC, CINHAL, and Education Research Complete) were searched from inception to May 2023. Two blinded reviewers chose peer-reviewed studies for inclusion in this scoping review if the research examined youth with mental health concerns that were involved in a peer support intervention or program. Results: After duplicate references were removed, 4,001 titles and abstracts were screened. In total, 70 studies met the inclusion criteria for this scoping review. A total 11147 youth (mean age 19.5 years) were identified as receiving peer support. About half the studies examined peer support service or program only (34/70; 49%). In others, peer support was examined alongside elements such as group therapy (29/70; 41%), goal setting (5/70; 7%), and cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) (5/70; 7%). Peer support services were identified as being significantly effective in treating mental health concerns in 81% (57/70) of studies. Conclusion: This scoping review demonstrated the ability of peer support services in aiding young people with mental health needs. Offering peer support may help mitigate future mental health problems in adulthood and increase quality of life.
28 Nov 2024Submitted to Early Intervention in Psychiatry
01 Dec 2024Submission Checks Completed
01 Dec 2024Assigned to Editor
01 Dec 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
20 Dec 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned