Canberra recruits four peer workers for psychiatric units
Canberra Health Services hired four peer workers with lived mental illness experience to support inpatient psychiatric care.
Peer Pathways places people with lived mental illness experience alongside patients at Canberra Hospital receiving inpatient psychiatric care. The four peer workers provide emotional and practical support, help patients understand treatment options, and assist with discharge planning.
Peer workers offer something clinical treatment alone cannot: a conversation with someone who has lived through similar struggles. Keith Mahar, one of the peer workers, described a patient whose demeanor changed when learning Mahar had bipolar disorder.
The program began in two low-dependency mental health units. Early results from a similar NSW model showed improvements in recovery outcomes and fewer early readmissions.
- 4
- Peer workers hired
- Ward 12B and Acacia unit
- Units receiving program
- 18 per cent
- Readmission rate within 28 days
- Marisa Paterson
- Mental Health Minister
Why it mattersPeer support reduces psychiatric readmissions and helps patients believe recovery is possible after dark moments.
AustraliaCanberra's mental health system is tackling high readmission rates; 18 per cent of acute psychiatric patients returned within 28 days, above the 17 per cent target.
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