The concept of including peers in your treatment team, that is people who have recovered from a similar health experience to yours, is not new in healthcare.

Alcoholics Anonymous, for example, has successfully engaged the support of recovered people—called sponsors—since the 1930s.
However, until recently, the model of care has remained quite uncommon. The good news is it's experiencing a much welcomed revival, with peer support widely being seen as vital to an eating disorder recovery team.

"Peer work is a new space compared to clinical support, but it is incredibly powerful," says a peer worker from Butterfly's new Next Steps program that offers support to people discharging from hospital care. "I think it's a game changer."

Having lived experience of an eating disorder, this person turned years of difficult mental health challenges into something of value for others, on a path he knows well.

"Of all the hospitals I've been in, I found the one most beneficial where the therapist had lived experience and where the groups were peer-led."

Here's an honest description of lived experience and how peer workers are skilled to use their mental health story intentionally to support others safely.

Find out more about Butterfly's Next Steps Program

Find out more about Butterfly's Peer-led Recovery Support Group

Find out more about Butterfly's Peer-led Program for Carers

Read our Peer Workforce Guidelines

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