Prepared by Maria Hermsen-Kritz, Research and Training Center for Pathways to Positive Futures 

Peer support is fast emerging as a promising and widely endorsed addition to the array of mental health services available to young people experiencing serious mental health conditions. This practice brief offers strategies for supporting youth peer support specialists and addressing common challenges they face. This brief was prepared in collaboration with the Research and Training Center for Pathways to Positive Futures, Portland State University and supported by grant SM 08171 from the Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.