Background: Peer-delivered services potentially provide broad, multifaceted benefits for persons suffering severe\nmental illness. Most studies to date have been conducted in countries with well-developed outpatient mental\nhealth systems. The objective of this study was to examine the feasibility for developing a community-based peer\nservice in China.\nMethods: Thirteen peer service providers and 54 consumers were recruited from four communities in Beijing. We\ninitiated the program in two communities, followed by another two in order to verify and add to our\nunderstanding of potential scalable feasibility. Semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted 12 month\nafter initiation at each site to measure satisfaction and perceived benefits from perspectives of peer service\nproviders, and consumers and their caregivers.\nResults: Key stakeholders reported that peer support services were satisfying and beneficial. Eleven of 13 peer\nservice providers were willing to continue in their roles. Ten, 8, and 7 of them perceived improvements in working\nskills, social communication skills, and mood, respectively. Among consumers, 39 of 54 were satisfied with peer\nservices. Improvements in mood, social communication skills, illness knowledge, and illness stability were detected\namong 23, 18, 13, and 13 consumers, respectively. For caregivers, 31 of 32 expressed a positive view regarding peer\nservices. Caregivers reported improvement in their own mood, confidence in recovery of their family members, and\nreduction in caretaker burdens.\nConclusions: The findings highlight that peer-delivered services have promise in China for benefiting persons with\nsevere mental illness and their family caregivers, as well as the peer service providers themselves.
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