Peer support’s effects in health students’ mental health

Introduction:

Peer support draws on social support and is formed by members who share common characteristics; the group can be used in different contexts to maintain the participants’ mental health. FCM/Unicamp peer support groups were created in 2020. This research was conducted to assess the effects of these groups on the participants’ mental health.

Objective:

To evaluate the effects of peer support groups on the mental health of health students; to understand the views of those students and compare the view of participants and non-participants regarding social support.

Method:

For qualitative analysis, in-depth interviews were carried out with participants and subsequently subjected to thematic analysis.

Results:

It was observed that the creation of a group identity and identification of common problems helped to build bonds which, in turn, were essential for the groups’ social support function.

Conclusion:

Qualitative analysis reinforced the beneficial and protective effect of the groups on the participants’ mental health. Thus, we conclude that peer support is a versatile and viable social support strategy to be applied in university environments, helping to maintain the participants’ psychological well-being.

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