According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), an estimated 1 in 5 teenagers experience depression, and 1 in 12 adults have experienced depression in their lifetime.¹ Depression can be a devastating illness; symptoms may include persistent sadness, hopelessness, loss of enjoyment in life, sleep disturbances, feelings of worthlessness, and in the most severe cases, even death. With depression being so prevalent in our society, it is essential to have professionals who can address the community’s needs. Among these professionals, peer advocates have emerged as a uniquely valuable form of support, bridging the gap between clinical services and lived experience. Peer advocates are individuals who have faced a mental, behavioral, or emotional health challenge, been involved in a system, or experienced recovery from addiction, and who now use their journey of healing to support others along their own paths. Peer advocates have become increasingly sought after, as their support can be profoundly impactful for those actively struggling with these challenges.
Impact, Stigma, and Barriers
Depression has a significant impact on someone’s life, both in the short term and long term. In the short term, it can interfere with school, work, and relationships by causing fatigue, loss of concentration, and withdrawal from loved ones. Over the long term, untreated depression can increase the risk of chronic health problems, substance use, and suicidal behavior. ²
Despite its prevalence, many individuals continue to struggle in silence due to feelings of isolation, stigma, shame, and practical barriers to care. Many individuals experiencing depression may fear being judged, misunderstood, dismissed, or forced into treatment they do not want. Some stigmas include the belief that depression is a sign of personal weakness, the misconception that people should “snap out of it,” and the stereotype that depression only affects certain types of people. Some people feel shame for experiencing depression because they feel responsible for the challenges they face due to symptoms. Another contributing factor to shame is someone’s immediate culture and how their community views mental illness. Practical barriers, such as limited access to affordable care, long wait times for appointments, or a lack of providers in rural communities, often make it even harder to receive treatment.
Given these emotional and practical obstacles, peer advocates can play a critical role in helping individuals navigate these challenges, providing understanding, and fostering hope where clinical services alone may not suffice.
Benefits of Peer Advocates
There are numerous benefits to having a peer advocate. Different types of peer advocates serve different populations:
- Youth Peer Advocates (YPA) work specifically with young people,
- Family Peer Advocates (FPA) support parents and guardians,
- Certified Recovery Peer Advocates (CRPA) assist individuals who have experienced addiction,
- Adult Peer Specialists (APS) focus on adults, and
- Other peer certifications address diverse needs across communities.
All peer advocates are trained to provide non-clinical, professional support while maintaining clear boundaries, ethical standards, and a defined scope of practice.
Although each peer certification has its own unique scope and role dynamics, there are common themes across all peer positions. These include empowering the individuals they support, advocating for their needs as they navigate complex systems, fostering mutual collaboration between the individual and the peer advocate, and facilitating connections to community resources. Together, these shared practices help peer advocates create meaningful support networks that enhance recovery, resilience, and overall well-being.
The impact of peer advocates is profound. First and foremost, a peer advocate models recovery and healing through life challenges. Someone actively experiencing depression may feel as though they will never be happy or successful again. This is where a peer advocate can make a meaningful difference. The peer advocate demonstrates what recovery and healing look like, provides guidance and support for navigating and overcoming depression, and inspires the individual to understand that healing is truly possible.
Peer advocates are also able to offer validation and understanding because they have experienced depression and can relate to the challenges the individuals they support are going through. This lived experience allows peer advocates to suggest coping strategies that may be effective or assist the individual in developing personalized coping skills. Some people may be hesitant or avoid clinical services for a variety of reasons. In these cases, a peer advocate provides an excellent alternative because they do not rely on clinical approaches that might feel intimidating, instead offering a relatable, collaborative, and equal-power dynamic.
Conclusion
The benefits of a peer advocate are vast, far exceeding what can be fully captured in this article. They extend beyond individual recovery to strengthen individuals, families, communities, and the broader support system for mental health and well-being. By bridging gaps between formal services and lived experience, peer advocates help reduce stigma, foster hope, and create lasting change in how mental health is understood and supported within society. Peer advocates bring connection, empowerment, and a sense of possibility to those living with depression. Organizations are urged to support and expand peer advocacy programs, while individuals experiencing mental health challenges are encouraged to seek assistance, knowing that recovery, hope, and healing are within reach.
Meghann Simpson, BA, YPA-C, CRPA-P, is an ambitious leader who leverages her lived experience, education, and professional expertise to develop trauma-informed support services for youth and adults. Having navigated trauma, mental illness, and addiction herself, she is deeply committed to supporting others along their healing and recovery journeys. Meghann earned a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Social Science with a Minor in African American Studies from the University at Buffalo. She co-founded Now She Speaks, a peer-led nonprofit supporting victims and survivors of domestic and interpersonal violence and human trafficking. Meghann strives to inspire others to know, with certainty, that they can and will live a happy and successful life, regardless of trauma or mental illness. For more information, visit www.meghannsimpson.net.
Footnotes
- National Institute of Mental Health. Major Depression. 2021. Retrieved from: www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/major-depression
- American Psychiatric Association. What Is Depression? Retrieved from: www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/depression/what-is-depression
