A recent scoping review, published in 2026, explores vocational peer support for people with serious mental illness (SMI). The review synthesizes evidence on the mechanisms, structures, lived experience, and perceived impacts of peer support in vocational settings. It highlights that people with SMI face multiple barriers to (re-)entering the workforce, including early exclusion from the labor market, stigmatization, mental health instability, and fragmented support systems.
Peer support, defined as social and emotional support provided by individuals with lived experience of mental illness, has emerged as a promising approach to address these barriers. The review identifies key mechanisms such as role modeling, empowerment, and the provision of practical guidance. Structural factors, including the integration of peer support within vocational rehabilitation services and the training and supervision of peer supporters, are critical to its effectiveness.
Lived experience accounts from both peer supporters and recipients reveal that peer support fosters hope, reduces self-stigma, and enhances self-efficacy. Perceived impacts include improved engagement with vocational services, increased job retention, and greater overall well-being. However, the review notes variability in outcomes and calls for more rigorous research to establish best practices and standardized implementation.
The findings underscore the potential of vocational peer support to complement existing mental health and employment services, offering a person-centered approach that addresses both clinical and social needs. As mental health systems increasingly recognize the value of peer support, this review provides a foundation for developing evidence-based vocational interventions.
