Peer-run respites in the continuum of care

Reducing utilization of psychiatric crisis services that are costly and provide limited opportunities for self-direction and recovery has become an important issue in public mental health. Peer-run respites are a preventative, recovery-oriented acute crisis service for people with psychiatric disorders that are operated by peers with lived experience of recovery. They provide both trauma-informed and person-centered services when individuals are experiencing crisis, and act as a hospital diversion intervention to prevent the further development of crisis. There are currently 12 peer-run respites across the country, with many peers in other states planning to implement programs in their localities. Respite directors participated in a web-based survey to assess the perspectives on services, research, and policy. Results presented here are related to peer-run respites as an alternative to emergency room and inpatient hospitalization, relationships to traditional providers, perspectives on Medicaid reimbursement, and evaluation requests and other needs related to the mental health system. Most respite directors described their program as being an alternative to traditional crisis services. Respite directors reported the frequency of referrals to and from other providers. All respites reported referring to other services, and that other providers refer to them at least occasionally. Some of the respites were willing to become Medicaid providers, but all had concerns about this. Respite directors reported that they wanted more research on peer-run respites, including research on cost and relation to other mental health service utilization. Respite directors identified opportunities within the system that they believe would make their programs more effective.