Virtual peer support: A vital step towards integrated regional planning and service delivery

A key priority in Australia’s 5th National Mental Health Plan is achieving integrated regional planning and service delivery. A vital asset in achieving and sustaining this goal are family and friends. Multiple factors affect the lived experience of carers during caregiving. For carers of persons living with dementia there are pragmatic issues such as how to access community services, psychological challenges such as adapting to changing roles within the family as well as balancing existing roles as well as dealing with loss and grief. Developing and improving access to peer support to enable carers to effectively cope with the challenges of caring may positively influence their caring experience.