How Peer Support Workers Are Transforming Mental Health Care in Germany

In the Borken district, Clemens Sprey helps others navigate life with mental illness—drawing on his own experiences. His work as a peer support worker follows a year-long training programme designed for those who have faced and recovered from similar struggles. Across North Rhine-Westphalia, over 600 people like Sprey now provide this specialised support, filling a vital gap in psychiatric care.

Sprey's journey began with his own battles against depression and work addiction. Instead of letting his diagnoses define him, he turned them into tools for helping others. After completing a one-year qualification, he now leads the Future Group in Ahaus, a discussion circle focused on recovery and practical skills like setting boundaries.

Peer support workers operate in clinics, residential facilities, and community groups run by welfare organisations. Their role bridges the gap between professional care and personal experience, offering guidance to both individuals in crisis and the staff supporting them. While exact numbers for groups like the Future Group remain unclear, similar initiatives exist in regions such as Berlin, Rheinland-Pfalz, and parts of Sachsen, often backed by organisations like NAKOS and DAG SHG.

The training ensures workers like Sprey bring firsthand understanding to their roles. Their presence in North Rhine-Westphalia has expanded significantly, with over 600 now trained to improve mental health care through lived experience.

Sprey's work in Ahaus reflects a growing shift toward peer-led mental health support. The Future Group and similar initiatives rely on trained individuals who have walked the same path. With hundreds now qualified across the region, this approach continues to reshape how recovery is supported.