"We're all learning together": exploring peer educator engagement in Recovery Colleges through a participatory research approach.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction and purpose

Recovery Colleges offer a community-based, recovery-oriented approach that promotes mental health and personal growth through co-produced, peer-led courses. Despite their growth in Canada, limited research examines factors influencing peer educators' sustained engagement-an essential aspect of program sustainability. This study addresses this gap by identifying key factors and developing best practices to support peer educators in Recovery Colleges and enhance retention and well-being.

Methods

This study employed a mixed-methods Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach, engaging peer educators as co-researchers. A Committee of seven local peer educators (five remained actively involved) co-designed tools and interpreted findings as the advisory p

SUBMITTER: Parsa B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12277248 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature