In this qualitative study, published in the International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being in November 2025, the researchers explored how peer support can align with the needs of young people experiencing mental health complaints, and how collaboration with general practitioners and other primary care professionals can be shaped.
Key data
- Publication: November 25, 2025
- Authors: Rianne Pellemans-van Rooijen, Mark Spigt, Floor P.M. Koonings, Tom Odink, Verena G. Noort, Thérèse A.M.J. van Amelsvoort, Sophie M.J. Leijdesdorff
- Institutions: Maastricht University – Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology (MHeNs) and Department of Family Medicine (CAPHRI Care and Public Health Research Institute)
- Journal: International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being
- DOI: 10.1080/17482631.2025.2588933
Summary
Background: Many mental health problems emerge before the age of 25. At the same time, a large proportion of young people do not receive appropriate support. Peer support is seen as an accessible complement to standard care. This study explores how young people, peer support volunteers, and primary care professionals view the needs of young people, the core components of peer support, and its integration into primary care.
Objective: To map out:
- The needs of young people for mental support
- The most important characteristics of peer support
- Opportunities and challenges in collaboration between peer support and primary care, such as general practitioners
Method
- Design: Qualitative research with semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis
- Setting: Including GP practices, @ease locations, universities, and online interviews
- Participants: 28 respondents divided into three groups:
- 14 young people (14–26 years) with current or previous mental health issues
- 7 peer support volunteers from @ease
- 7 primary care professionals (GPs and mental health practice nurses)
- Analysis: Thematic analysis according to Braun & Clarke, with a comparison between the perspectives of the three stakeholder groups.
Results: needs of young people
Four central needs emerged from the interviews:
Knowledge and control
Young people want clear information about available help and to maintain influence over choices regarding support and information exchange.
Healthy and normal development
Young people want mental health issues to be viewed in the context of normal development and without stigmatization.
Validation and belonging
Recognition by others with similar experiences helps reduce feelings of isolation.
Connection
Young people value empathy, listening, and meaningful relationships. Peer support can offer an alternative when social support is lacking.
The perspectives of peer support volunteers and professionals largely aligned with these needs, although there appeared to be a difference in expectations regarding who is responsible for information about support options.
Important elements of peer support
Informal and safe environment
Peer support must be low-threshold, accessible, and clearly distinct from traditional care, with attention to confidentiality and accessibility.
Lived experience
Experiential knowledge is seen as an important characteristic of peer support, because it promotes recognition and understanding.
Training and supervision
Training and guidance are necessary to ensure safety, boundaries, and reflection, while preserving the authenticity of peer support.
Various forms of support
Young people indicate that needs can change. Therefore, flexible options are desired, such as walk-in locations, individual conversations, and various forms of contact.
Role of peer support in primary care
All stakeholder groups view peer support as a valuable addition to the existing care system. It can help, among other things:
- During waiting times for treatment
- For milder mental complaints
- When young people experience insufficient social support
According to participants, collaboration with primary care requires:
- Clear referral pathways
- Clear communication between organizations
- Agreements on confidentiality and information exchange
| Are you a GP or Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and would you like more information about peer support at @ease? Then read our special page for healthcare professionals. |
Conclusion
Peer support is seen by young people, peer support volunteers, and primary care professionals as a valuable and accessible addition to youth mental health care. However, integrating it into primary care requires clear communication, well-defined roles, and flexible forms of support in order to meet the diverse needs of young people.
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Want to know everything? Read or download the full publication below. The study was published in the International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being.