Peer support has gained more focus in international and national trends towards user-involvement in

psychiatry. Besides the political intensions, peers and user organizations have requested more peer support for several years. Research findings point to the importance of involving peer support in the process of health promotion in psychiatry. Central points are that peer supporters can be agents of hope, acceptance and recognition, and offer useful support and mentorship to others in similar situations. Although these results are important, there is limited knowledge about how peer support actually influences processes of health promotion.

Focusing on a peer support program in the mental health service of the Danish Region Sjælland, this PhD project explores what the peer support means to the patients involved.The approach is qualitative and subject-oriented. The empirical data are generated through exploratory narrative life history interviews with the patients, interviews with the peers, field notes and focus group interviews with professionals.

Utilizing a critical theoretical socialisation theory and deep hermeneutic analysis, the aims are to explore the significance of peer support related to patients identity- and learning processes, health promotion and everyday life strategies. This is regarded as a way to create new meaning and potential action. Ultimately, the aims are to explore the meaning and practice of peer support and to explore the method as an alternative health promotion practice.

Birgitte Hansson