Qualitative Study to Support Future Implementation of Peer Support in a Psychiatric Emergency Room Service in Campinas, Brazil

Abstract   Objective: This article describes the findings from a qualitative study conducted in a psychiatric emergency room at the Hospital of the State University of Campinas (Unicamp). Two focus groups collect data from people with serious mental illness (SMI) and professionals from hospital-based psychiatric services (HBPS) to explore challenges and opportunities for future implementation of peer support on Unicamp psychiatric emergency room service in Campinas Brazil. Research Design: The study was conducted in Campinas, Brazil, in January 2020. Volunteers formed two focus groups (n = 10) and discussed relevant questions to implement a peer-based model on the ER psychiatric unit. Methods: Thematic Analysis was used for this study. The sessions were recorded and later transcribed, and data were analyzed and organized in Themes. Results: The research team grouped four themes from the client's perceptions of challenges: lack of access to mental health services, lack of care, treatment voiceless, self-perception about stigma. The client's perceptions of opportunities generate two themes: trust and relationships and appraisal of emotional network and support. The professional's perceptions developed four themes of challenges described as sustainability and adherence to treatment, living with serious mental illness, ER professional roles and limits, and implementation of peer support in the ER. The professional's perceptions of opportunities generated two themes: understanding peer support roles and the positive impact of peer support in the ER. Conclusions: The qualitative data highlights the need for peer support working in the ER psychiatric unit. Also suggested the relevance of large-scale research to build strategies to future implement peer support on the ER psychiatric unit. Keywords:     Qualitative research, peer support, people with serious mental illness, mental health workers.