Peer to peer support in Kham – Photo by Vanglee
Persons with disabilities are likely to experience psychosocial issues, such as stress, anxiety and depression, when experiencing difficulties in functioning and dependency on caregivers. Likewise, caregivers can also experience similar psychosocial issues due to stress and burden of providing care in the absence of social services support. Psychosocial support is an important and essential intervention to support persons with disabilities and their caregivers.
Peer to peer support is one type of intervention as part of community Mental Health Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) for the USAID Okard Community Based Inclusive Development (CBID) pilot project. Peer supporters are experts by experience and are able to relate to, connect with and support individuals who are going through challenges in a unique way because of their own lived experiences and through this process build personal capacity of that individual so they can effectively advocate for their own needs and empower them to take control of their lives.
USAID Okard, funded by USAID and implemented by World Education, Inc., in partnership with Humanity & Inclusion improves access to quality rehabilitation and economic opportunities for persons with disabilities, and supports design and implementation of disabilities inclusive policy.