Scottish Recovery Network has produced this Insight Report to increase knowledge and understanding of the current and potential role of peer support in mental health in Scotland. This report is part of a programme of work to champion peer support and peer working in mental health as set out in Strategic Action 2.3 in the Scottish Government and COSLA Mental Health and Wellbeing Delivery Plan.

Foreword p.5
1. Mental health recovery and peer support p.8
2. What is peer support? p.12
3. Dispelling myths about peer support p.18
4. Peer support works – the evidence p.22
5. Peer support activity in Scotland p.26
6. Progress, barriers and the path ahead p.30
7. Next steps p.36
8. References p.38

Peer Support in Scotland is the first in a series of four Insight Reports. It is intended as a foundational report and will set out:
• What we mean by peer support in mental health
• Why peer support has a key role in mental health recovery
• Existing peer support activity and workforce in Scotland
• Drivers and opportunities for peer support development in Scotland

This report will be followed by Insight Reports 2 and 3 which will focus on the role of peer support in early intervention and prevention, and in crisis and distress. The reports will include examples of peer support in action in Scotland and further afield. The fourth Insight Report will focus on the enablers and barriers to growing peer support in Scotland sharing Scottish and international evidence of what works.