TY - JOUR
AU - Pellemans- van Rooijen
AU - M. Spigt
AU - F. P. M. Koonings
AU - T. Odink
AU - V. G. Noort
AU - Tamj van Amelsvoort
AU - S. M. J. Leijdesdorff
A1 - 
AB - INTRODUCTION: This study explored how youth with mental health issues, peer support workers, and primary care professionals perceive youth's needs while receiving support, key elements of peer support, and its integration into primary healthcare. METHOD: Twenty-eight semi-structured interviews were conducted and analyzed thematically to identify youth's needs, core components of peer support, and collaboration challenges between peer support services and primary care. RESULTS: All stakeholder groups recognized peer support as a valuable, low-threshold complement to traditional care, particularly for those awaiting treatment or lacking social support. Youth emphasized needs for knowledge, destigmatization, validation and connection - needs specifically addressed by the informal, empathetic, and non-hierarchical nature of peer support. Peer support workers and professionals emphasized the need to balance authenticity with safety and professional boundaries. Effective integration requires structured referral pathways, clear communication channels, confidentiality safeguards, and role clarity. Divergent expectations around responsibility for information sharing and formal requirements on lived experience highlight areas for improvement. Flexible peer support options that match youth's changing needs were seen as essential. DISCUSSION: While peer support services offer a valuable addition to youth mental healthcare, its integration with primary care remains complex and requires improved communication, role clarification, and adaptable support options.
AD - Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Mental Health and Neuroscience Research Institute (MHeNs), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.; Department of Family Medicine, CAPHRI Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
AN - 41292112
BT - Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being
C5 - Healthcare Disparities; Education & Workforce
CP - 1
DA - Dec 31
DO - 10.1080/17482631.2025.2588933
DP - NLM
ET - 20251125
IS - 1
JF - Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being
LA - eng
N2 - INTRODUCTION: This study explored how youth with mental health issues, peer support workers, and primary care professionals perceive youth's needs while receiving support, key elements of peer support, and its integration into primary healthcare. METHOD: Twenty-eight semi-structured interviews were conducted and analyzed thematically to identify youth's needs, core components of peer support, and collaboration challenges between peer support services and primary care. RESULTS: All stakeholder groups recognized peer support as a valuable, low-threshold complement to traditional care, particularly for those awaiting treatment or lacking social support. Youth emphasized needs for knowledge, destigmatization, validation and connection - needs specifically addressed by the informal, empathetic, and non-hierarchical nature of peer support. Peer support workers and professionals emphasized the need to balance authenticity with safety and professional boundaries. Effective integration requires structured referral pathways, clear communication channels, confidentiality safeguards, and role clarity. Divergent expectations around responsibility for information sharing and formal requirements on lived experience highlight areas for improvement. Flexible peer support options that match youth's changing needs were seen as essential. DISCUSSION: While peer support services offer a valuable addition to youth mental healthcare, its integration with primary care remains complex and requires improved communication, role clarification, and adaptable support options.
PY - 2025
SN - 1748-2623 (Print); 1748-2623
SP - 2588933
ST - Bridging peer support and primary care in youth mental health: stakeholder perspectives on needs, key elements and integration challenges
T1 - Bridging peer support and primary care in youth mental health: stakeholder perspectives on needs, key elements and integration challenges
T2 - Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being
TI - Bridging peer support and primary care in youth mental health: stakeholder perspectives on needs, key elements and integration challenges
U1 - Healthcare Disparities; Education & Workforce
U3 - 10.1080/17482631.2025.2588933
VL - 20
VO - 1748-2623 (Print); 1748-2623
Y1 - 2025
ER -