Peer support includes people (mentors) using their personal lived experiences to assist others (referred to as mentees). Despite a high incentive to incorporate peer support into eating disorder, research on implementation is lacking.

The aim of this project was to further evaluate Eating Disorder Victoria’s (EDV) Peer Mentoring Program (PMP) in a larger sample online, after promising early pilot results in 2019. PMP service data from July 2020 to April 2022 was evaluated for 51 mentees. Data was collected from program baseline, 3-months and 6-months for changes in eating disorder symptomatology and psychological wellbeing. In addition, direct program costs and mentee qualitative feedback were also evaluated.

The results showed clinically meaningful improvements as a result of PMP. By program end, the Eating disorder symptomatology and psychological wellbeing improved by program end. Admissions related to eating disorder-related hospital admissions were over 60% lower during PMP compared to 6-months prior. Feedback from qualitative interviews included themes around benefits of lived experience connection, a new kind of recovery space and motivation for change; however, a challenge regarding the time-limited nature of the program was also reported.

This work is important to evolve our understanding of the lived experience workforce as an adjunct in eating disorder management and demonstrates a practical, feasible and well received program that would be implementable within other community-based organisations and services.

Partners/Organisations: Eating Disorders Victoria (EDV)​

Publications:

Raspovic, A., Duck, R., Synnot, A., Caldwell, B., Phillipou, A., Castle, D., Newton, R., Brennan, L., Jenkins, Z., Cunich, M., Maguire, S., & Miskovic-Wheatley, J. A Peer Mentoring Program for eating disorders: improved symptomatology and reduced hospital admissions, three years and a pandemic on. (under review).