Bringing in the voices and knowledge of people who have gone through recovery processes or experienced exclusion and emotional distress helps build social and healthcare services that are more empathetic, realistic, and effective. Increasingly, it is recognised that those who have lived through such experiences possess practical and relational knowledge which, when acknowledged, complemented with training, and professionalised, becomes a powerful tool for mutual support and collective empowerment.

This approach gives rise to a key new role: the expert by experience — someone who combines personal lived experience with formal training and the ability to offer support through emotional proximity. This model, internationally known as peer-to-peer support, is gaining traction in areas such as mental health, addiction, homelessness, gender-based violence, and child protection. The inclusion of peer experts strengthens the human dimension of care, creating spaces of trust, motivation, and tangible improvements in autonomy and wellbeing.

This role is gradually being integrated into public and community systems through specialised training, competency accreditation, employment, and professional supervision. Countries like the UK and Finland have already embedded peer worker roles into their services, and emerging initiatives in Catalonia are moving in the same direction.

In this Innobreak, we’ll explore two initiatives that are piloting and consolidating peer support models in the field of mental health:

• Entre Iguals – Fundació Drissa (Catalonia): A pioneering pilot project implemented in the province of Girona, offering personalised support for people with mental health challenges. Led by “peer support agents” — a new professional role filled by trained individuals who turn their life experience into a practical support tool. This support, delivered through workshops, is integrated into the social and healthcare care plan, bringing closeness, empathy, and measurable improvements in autonomy and stability.

• Mental Health Support Services for the Elderly (Finland): A service offering peer-led support groups and one-on-one accompaniment for older adults facing mental health or substance use issues. These are facilitated by professionals and experts by experience — individuals who have faced similar challenges and, thanks to specific training and paid roles, provide professionalised support based on trust and emotional proximity.

SPEAKERS:

Xevi Benzal Ventura, Communications Team at Fundació Drissa and person with lived experience (Fundació Drissa)

Jordi Cid, Programme Coordinator at the Mental Health and Addictions Network of the Institute of Health Assistance of Girona (XSMiA, IAS)

Maarit Ajalin, Project Manager at the Mental Health Services for the Elderly, City of Helsinki

Susanna Vilén, Social Worker at the Mental Health Services for the Elderly, City of Helsinki