Why Peer Support Specialists are Perfectly Positioned to Address Loneliness and Social Isolation

Last year the US Surgeon General Issued his report on social isolation entitled “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Social Isolation (2023).  This important report points out the alarming growth in social isolation, with about 50% of US adults reporting some loneliness in the past year.  It also refers to the growing evidence of serious health concerns resulting from isolation.  “Loneliness is far more than just a bad feeling—it harms both individual and societal health. It is associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, stroke, depression, anxiety, and premature death. The mortality impact of being socially disconnected is similar to that caused by smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day,4 and even greater than that associated with obesity and physical inactivity.”

Addressing this “epidemic” is not easy.  There are many long-term social trends that have been pushing isolation rates for more than 50 years.  Those trends are not going to change quickly.  If we look at the individual level, it is important to recognize that many isolated people are ambivalent about connection and so will need additional supports to move back toward better connectedness to their communities.

Peer Support Specialists are ideally positioned to address this crisis:

1.     They have a special link to the healthcare system.  Peer Support Specialists are most often employed as part of the healthcare system, and so they are often on teams with clinicians.  Isolation and loneliness are now seen as a healthcare issue.

2.     They have a special link to patients.  The role of Peer Support Specialist requires that the person has had the experience of recovery from an illness and the use of the healthcare system.  This experience gives them credibility and connection with clients

3.     They have a special link to the community. The work of Peer Support Specialists often involves developing and using a network of contacts in the community, including contacts with potential sources of social support.

4.     Their work often involves healthy lifestyle interventions.  Peer Support Specialists are often providing services that build healthy lifestyles and healthy recovery, either during or after formal treatment.  Building social support and reducing social isolation is central to many healthy lifestyle interventions.

5.     They have a natural network in community-based peer support groups.  There are more visits each year to community-based peer support groups than there are to healthcare providers. The network of peer support groups is huge and often underrecognized and underutilized. Unlike many new opportunities for social support, peer support groups are very easy to connect to.  Most meet regularly in local areas with the express mission of providing social support to everyone who comes.  If I want to make new friends at work or at a church, it will take months to years to get to know and then develop supportive relationships with new people.  If I show up at a local NAMI support group or AA group, I can receive support right away.  Peer Support Specialists are often the gateway to community-based peer support groups.

6.     While building social support is not a specific clinical expertise that most healthcare professionals train for, it fits in the training and expertise of Peer Support Specialists.  Most Peer Support Specialists focus their work on encouraging “recovery”.  Social Support and integration with community networks is central to SAMHSA’s definition of recovery (SAMSHA, 2024) and so fits perfectly with the work of Peer Support Specialists.

Surgeon General, U. S. (2023). Our epidemic of loneliness and isolation. The US Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community 2023.

 KEY WORDS: Peer Support Specialist, Loneliness, Social Support, Social Isolation, Recovery, Peer Support, Peer Support Training, Peer Support Certification, Peer Support Jobs