There is a growing body of evidence which suggests peer coaching in recovery-oriented practice is an effective approach to supporting consumers in mental health service settings. The value of peer support in mental health recovery lies in its ability to inspire hope, motivation and an increased ability to overcome challenges.

Neami National’s Active8 program in NSW is an innovative alternative to traditional approaches. In keeping with Neami’s recovery-oriented practice framework, the program is person-centered, collaborative and designed to maximise opportunities for participants to build skills in self-management.

The Active8 program offers a combination of an individual program of Coaching for Physical Health, delivered one-to-one by a peer support worker, and Eat, Plant, Learn a group program co-facilitated by the peer workers, who promotes healthy and sustainable eating. The programs support consumers to identify and work on physical health-related goals; as well as improve their health literacy, engagement with health services, self-management and self-efficacy. Consumers participate in either Coaching for Physical Health (CPH) or Eat, Plant, Learn (EPL) or both programs according to their identified needs and goals. Everyone is offered six one-to-one coaching sessions with an introductory session and an exit support session and access to several tailored group EPL sessions, dependent on their individual needs. The CPH sessions are delivered face-to-face at the consumers home, preferred community location, or over the telephone. One-to-one sessions are scheduled at intervals of two and four weeks to allow them work on their identified goals between sessions.

Unlike a counsellor or mentor, the peer coach does not rely on offering advice but rather helps the individual brainstorm ideas and develop achievable goals, they selectively use self-disclosure to inspire hope, self-determination and reduce stigma. Neami Peer coaches understand the link between physical and mental health and are passionate about supporting people through the challenges of making behavioural changes. The Active8 peer support workers specialise in techniques to support and guide consumers to find sustainable and meaningful strategies to achieve their physical health goals. They are skilled at keeping sessions on the topic of physical health, whilst being creative and flexible to respond to individual needs.