Peers in Mental Health: Role Boundaries and Ethics

Through qualitative research, Dr. Knopes and her team will explore how “peers” (people with mental illness who provide services to fellow individuals in recovery) make sense of their complex role as both a care provider and a person with their own health needs. They will seek to expand bioethics research on the ethical issues that emerge when peers cross these boundaries between patient and provider when leading support programs, and directly inform the development of new training programs for peers on role boundaries at Northeast Ohio affiliates of a national mental health organization.