Exploring the attitudes of mental health professionals toward recovery and peer support in Taiwan.

Abstract

Background: While many Western countries have implemented mental health recovery-oriented and peer support services, they are still in the early stages of development in Taiwan, and the existing literature on professionals' perspectives regarding recovery-related issues in non-Western contexts remains limited. This study investigates the perspectives of professionals from well-established psychiatric rehabilitation organizations in Taiwan on the concept of recovery and peer support.

Methods: Data were collected through semi-structured interviews involving 19 professionals from nine organizations, which were then recorded and transcribed verbatim. Subsequently, the data were coded using Atlas.ti 8.0, followed by thematic analysis.

Results: The analyses identified three main themes. First, attitudes toward recovery encompassed six subthemes: (1) coexisting with illness while finding personal fulfillment, (2) exercising one's rights and taking personal responsibility, (3) maintaining hope throughout the recovery journey, (4) recognizing the non-linear nature of recovery, (5) acknowledging the individuality of each recovery path, and (6) affirming that recovery is achievable for all. Additionally, four types of peer support were identified: supportive peer, staff assistant, life assistant, and mental health workforce. Furthermore, perspectives on peer support workers included four subthemes: (1) attitudes toward people with mental illness, (2) the need for a robust career support system, (3) organizational and professional support, and (4) self-awareness of people with mental illness.

Conclusions: This study is one of the few that explore the perspectives of professionals on recovery and peer support in non-Western contexts. Professionals from well-established psychiatric rehabilitation organizations in Taiwan embraced most mental health recovery principles, but inconsistencies were found regarding the applicability of recovery to different individuals. Peer support in Taiwan remains largely informal, with concerns primarily focused on environmental factors. However, one personal factor is also critical. People with mental illness in non-Western contexts may require more extensive preparation to serve as peer support workers.