Experiences of receiving a peer support intervention for family members of individuals with mental illness

Background: Since the deinstitutionalisation movement, many families have taken on the responsibility of caring for their family members with severe mental illness (SMI). Despite being recognised as a fundamental resource, family members frequently report that the support they are receiving from Mental Health Services is inadequate. Peer support has become an integral component of the mental health care system, which is evolving towards a recoveryoriented system. However, the existing literature on peer support for family caregivers, of individuals with SMI, is still very limited. Aim: To explore the lived experiences of receiving a Family Recovery Peer Support (FFRPS) pilot intervention for family caregivers of individuals with SMI. Method: The experiences of receiving FRIENDS Family Recovery Peer Support (FFRPS), 6- session pilot intervention, were explored through Twelve in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with family caregivers who received FFRPS Findings: Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, two superordinate themes were identified: 1) “You feel all their pain” and 2) “A vital experience of growth and healing through relationship”. Findings revealed that having a family member suffer with SMI was a traumatic experience, and one which caused strain within family relationships. Findings shed light on family caregivers’ unmet needs for emotional support. All 12 caregivers reported that receiving FFRPS was beneficial. The significance of genuine understanding in the context of experiential similarity was repeatedly identified as invaluable. Analyses also revealed a sequential journey of recovery, and post-traumatic growth, across family caregivers’ narratives. After receiving care within the FFRPS relationship, and having processed their own trauma, caregivers grew in strength and became more objective. This led caregivers to replace old strategies of providing care with mutually empowering ways of genuinely supporting their SMI family member. Conclusion: Findings support the roll out of FFRPS as a beneficial intervention for family caregivers of individuals with SMI. The strengths and limitations of this study are considered, followed by a discussion of the potential implications for clinical practice, education and policy. Suggestions for future research are also offered.