In some psychiatric clinics, the work of so-called "peers" is now integrated into treatment concepts. Peers are people who suffer from or have overcome a mental illness. After completing special training, these people serve as contacts and confidantes in clinics and outpatient settings, where their work is now part of the daily routine. Thanks to their individual experiences with illness and their insight into personal coping strategies, peers can usually approach patients very differently than psychiatrists and psychologists. When peers encourage the mentally ill, and assure them that the illness will one day be more bearable, patients often experience a special leap of faith. This can contribute to the patient's despair fading, while their confidence grows.
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