Staying True to Peer Support: Understanding Co-Optation and Peer Drift

Peer support was built on values of mutuality, shared experience, and hope — but as the peer workforce has grown, it has also faced challenges that can dilute its power. This webinar will explore what co-optation and peer drift mean in the context of mental health peer support in New Jersey, why they happen, and how they impact the role.

We’ll look at the history and evolution of the peer support workforce, the integration of peers into multidisciplinary teams (with both pros and pitfalls), and the systemic and organizational factors that contribute to co-optation and peer drift, such as role ambiguity, poor boundaries, and lack of effective supervision. Participants will walk away with a deeper understanding of how to protect the integrity of the peer role and stay grounded in the values that make peer support unique.