World Mental Health Day: The power of peer support
A blog by Usman Gul, Peer Support Worker and Peer Debriefer, about supporting patients through peer support.
"What's a peer debriefer?" is a question I often get asked. Put simply, my role is about listening to people.
As a peer debriefer, I use my own lived experience of mental health services to support people who are receiving care on our wards. I meet with patients after difficult incidents, to understand what happened from their perspective and to make sure their voices are heard.
After an incident, I sit down with patients and ask them how they felt, what led up to the situation and whether anything could have been done differently. Sometimes people feel there has been a misunderstanding or that they weren't listened to. Sometimes there are lessons we can learn that may help prevent similar situations happening again.
These conversations are important because they help patients feel heard at a time when they may feel they have very little control over what is happening around them. They also help staff better understand each person's needs and experiences. By sharing what I learn with the wider team, we can improve communication and care.
My lived experience plays an important part in these conversations. Many patients feel more comfortable speaking to someone who has faced their own challenges. There is often an immediate sense of understanding and trust. I don’t have the same responsibilities as clinical staff, and that allows me to be a bridge between patients and the wider team.
One experience that has stayed with me involved a patient who spoke very little English. He rarely spoke, kept to himself and seemed disconnected from the people around him. Because I spoke his language, I was able to communicate with him directly rather than through a translator. Building trust took time, patience and lots of conversations, but gradually he began to open up about what he was going through.
As our conversations continued, I was able to help him communicate with the staff supporting him and advocate for what was important to him. Over time, I saw a real change. He began engaging with other people on the ward, taking part in activities and joining conversations. That experience showed me how powerful it can be when someone feels understood, especially during one of the most difficult periods of their life.
This year's World Mental Health Day theme is "Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change." To me, that perfectly sums up peer debriefer role. It's about listening to people's experiences, making sure they feel heard, and using those experiences to make positive changes and improve care for others.
For anyone considering a lived experience role, I’d say for go for it! You have overcome challenges in your own life, you may be able to use those experiences to help someone else through theirs. It is incredibly rewarding, not only because of the difference it makes to others, but because it can also give you a new perspective on your own journey.
