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Peer support is a mutual relationship that involves someone with lived experience of mental health and other life challenges (peer workers) supporting and advocating for someone who is experiencing these challenges. It is different from a clinical relationship that a young person may have with their psychologist, mental health nurse, case worker, or doctors. The three main types of peer support currently used in youth mental health are: peer support for young people, vocational peer support for young people, and peer support for families of young people.

Emerging evidence and subsequent increasing recognition in Australian and international policy suggests that peer work is a key part of best practice youth mental health services.