I'm very open to changing my mind.
In the last 10 years I have come across 6 peer support workers. 2 on a professional basis and 4 as an inpatient.
I have only ever seen them talk about themselves.
One of the ones I encountered professionally shared WAY too much to the extent I knew what medication she was on and the dosages. There was no indication for her to do this whatsoever.
All the ones in the hospital just wanted to talk about their own experiences and how they felt, how it impacted their family (always negatively).
I felt like I was their counsellor at a time that I was very unwell.
I can see that peer support looks great on paper, but I have only seen them essentially do it for their own ends and to self validate. And 6 in both contexts seem to be more than just bad luck.
No, I didn't feed back or complain, I really wasnt well. My manager was equally taken back by the one we saw at work and we decided very quickly not to recruit them.
I feel that peer supporters often do more damage than good. I'd be interested in hearing the response of others.