A review of innovative peer-to-peer mental health solutions and a commentary on a peer-to-peer intervention for individuals with PTSD

Abstract

Aims: Mental Illness affects one in five Americans. Mental health treatment has predominantly focused on medication management and psychotherapy. Though these methods have proven effective in aiding individuals, there remain many gaps in quality and access to mental healthcare. Peer-to-peer solutions have emerged as a growing market in treatment, especially in substance abuse recovery, as peers can use their lived experience to provide a personalized healing space. This review will highlight several key start-ups innovating in the peer-to-peer space and discuss their impacts. Utilizing key aspects of each peer support company, this paper will frame a potential model for a peer treatment company with an emphasis on mental trauma.

Process: In this paper, various mental health companies were looked at with an emphasis on peer to peer treatments they offered. Gathering in-depth details of each company, patterns were noted and reviewed to discover the most effective uses of peer based models through online services. Collecting data via PubMed and other established experimental treatments, connections were drafted on the effectiveness of peer to peer treatment and the best methods for such practices. Furthermore, capital data on the companies were gathered to analyze any possible effectiveness.

Conclusions: While there is no denying the effectiveness of traditional treatment, data shows the emerging success of peer based treatment. Specifically, company trends provide positive outcomes that peer support for commonly occurring mental issues can be more effective than forms of medicine or professional therapy. In this realm, this thesis has drafted conclusions of online accessibility, anonymous options, and issue specific peers as key targets for companies aiming to succeed in peer-to-peer treatment. In drafting a company focused on trauma, these points have been hypothesized through virtual calls, anonymous chat rooms, privatized user profiles, and trained peers to ensure relatability and comfort within online boundaries.