Name
The Vital Role of Integrated Peer Support: A Resource to Improve Overall Health
Description

In UNC REACH's Enhanced Primary Care Clinic, after a multitude of trainings, integrated peer support specialists provide education in many areas of physical and psycho-social health through one-on-one interventions and evidence-based groups. Warm hand-offs are offered from providers and peers begin building rapport offering services right in the office. Peers schedule follow-ups often meeting in the community in places like parks near their homes, grocery stores, gyms, and food pantries. Also, assisting with follow-ups for specialty appointments. Peers advocate and teach others how to self-advocate to better understand and ensure needs are met.

Speakers
Abigail Kalicicki, Certified Peer Support Specialist, UNC, Raleigh, NC
Johnnie Henley CPSS, Peer Support Specialist, UNC,
Co-Authors
Michael Baca-Atlas, MD
Content Level
All Audience
Tags
Primary Care Behavioral Health Model, Social determinants of health or SDoH, Team-based care
Session Type
Concurrent
SIG or Committee
Just Medicine/DEI (JMC), Primary Care Behavioral Health (PCBH)
Objective 1
Name 7 Evidence Based Peer Support Groups
Objective 2
Describe 3 ways peers at UNC REACH Primary Care engage within the community
Objective 3
Identify ways peers work to address 8 Dimensions of Wellness in a Primary Care Clinic
Content Reference 1

Bochicchio L, Stefancic A, McTavish C, Tuda D, Cabassa LJ. "Being There" vs "Being Direct:" Perspectives of Persons with Serious Mental Illness on Receiving Support with Physical Health from Peer and Non-Peer Providers. Adm Policy Ment Health. 2021;48(3):539-550. doi:10.1007/s10488-020-01098-z

Content Reference 2

Ranney RM, Goldberg R, Maguen S, Blonigen D. Peer specialist-led interventions in primary care at the Veterans Health Administration: An integrative review. Psychol Serv. Published online April 11, 2024. doi:10.1037/ser0000858

Content Reference 3

Tellez JJ, Kidd J. Peer support workers: an untapped resource in primary mental health care [published correction appears in J Prim Health Care. 2015 Sep 01;7(3):179.. Perez, Juan [corrected to Tellez, Juan J]]. J Prim Health Care. 2015;7(1):84-87. Published 2015 Mar 1.

Content Reference 4

Stubbs B, Williams J, Shannon J, Gaughran F, Craig T. Peer support interventions seeking to improve physical health and lifestyle behaviours among people with serious mental illness: A systematic review. Int J Ment Health Nurs. 2016;25(6):484-495. doi:10.1111/inm.12256

Content Reference 5

Swarbrick P, Yudof J. Wellness in Eight Dimensions. Collaborative Support Programs of NJ, Inc. 2015. https://www.center4healthandsdc.org/uploads/7/1/1/4/71142589/wellness_in_8_dimensions_booklet_with_daily_plan.pdf