Navigating mental health challenges, including those around body image, can feel incredibly isolating, but no one should go through it alone. Peer support offers a lifeline to those struggling, providing a safe, understanding space where people can connect and share their experiences.
In fact, research shows that talking to someone who’s “been there” can be just as powerful as professional support.
At Been There, we believe in the transformative power of peer support. By bringing together people with similar lived experiences, we’re helping individuals not only find comfort and community but also build the resilience and confidence they need to overcome their struggles.
This piece will explore what peer support is, why it’s so effective, and how it can make a real difference in the journey towards better mental health and improved body image.
What Is Peer Support for Body Image Recovery?
Peer support is about people helping people. It’s when individuals with shared experiences—whether that’s body image struggles or mental health challenges—come together to support each other. Unlike therapy, it’s led by people who’ve “been there,” offering understanding and empathy from lived experience.
In the UK, peer support is growing as more people recognise its value, as NHS England has increasingly recognised the value of peer support. It’s like talking to a friend who really gets what you’re going through, creating a sense of community and belonging.
The beauty of peer support is that it’s mutual. Both the person giving support and the person receiving it benefit. People offering peer support often find it boosts their confidence and sense of purpose, which creates a positive feedback loop where everyone involved grows and learns together. It’s about building each other up through shared stories and experiences, and it fills a crucial gap where mental health services in the UK can be stretched.
There’s solid evidence to back up the effectiveness of peer support in mental health care. Numerous studies have shown that peer support can significantly improve emotional well-being and help individuals feel more connected and supported during their recovery.
For example, research on the benefits of peer support for mental health from Mind, found that individuals involved in peer support were more likely to report feelings of empowerment, increased self-esteem, and a greater sense of control over their mental health.
In fact, people who engage in peer support often experience a reduction in feelings of isolation, with one study noting that 77% of participants felt less lonely after receiving peer support.
Peer support doesn’t just benefit the recipient—it also positively impacts those providing the support. People offering peer support at Been There, (Mentors) often find it boosts their confidence and sense of purpose, which creates a positive feedback loop where everyone involved grows and learns together.
In a UK-based study published by the Journal of Mental Health, researchers found that peer support led to improved emotional resilience and higher levels of recovery in individuals facing mental health challenges. Those who participated in peer support also reported feeling more optimistic about their ability to manage symptoms and cope with day-to-day stresses. This is something Been There excels at:
“When I found the Been There app I thought, ‘Wow, I can talk to someone honestly and openly’. It was so liberating, because I felt I didn’t have to sugarcoat anything.
It’s people who’ve been in my position who could say, ‘yeah, it sucks. I get it. You’re not weird, strange or vain’. I think it’s such an amazing idea and I wish more people knew about it.”
I’d say it was a very lonely place before Been There. And then it’s like I’ve found a friend that I didn’t have. A friend that is there, is open and accepting and will listen. I feel like even in just the few months of engaging with Been There it’s had such an impact.
It’s feeling less alone, feeling validated and just positive about going forward, knowing that you can get to a place where you could help somebody else.”
The Role of Peer and Professional Support in Body Image Recovery
While peer support is incredibly powerful, it’s important to understand how it complements, rather than replaces, professional mental health care. Each approach has its strengths, and together they offer a more holistic path to recovery.
When to Use Peer Support: Peer support is ideal when you need empathy, understanding, and a sense of belonging from someone who truly knows what it’s like to face similar challenges. It’s about building connections with people who share their lived experience, which can help individuals feel more comfortable and less judged. Peer support often creates a relaxed environment where there’s no pressure to follow clinical guidelines or professional frameworks.
When Professional Support Is Needed: In contrast, professional support—such as therapy or counselling—provides a more structured approach with trained mental health professionals. Professionals offer diagnostic expertise, clinical treatments, and therapy tailored to each individual’s needs, particularly for severe mental health conditions. If someone is dealing with complex issues, such as clinical depression, anxiety disorders, or trauma, professional intervention is critical. At Been There, our Mentors are trained to know when to signpost to other services.
The Power of Combining Approaches: Research consistently shows that blending peer and professional support can lead to better outcomes. A study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry highlighted those individuals who combined peer support with professional therapy experienced greater improvement in mental health symptoms than those relying on just one method. Peer support adds a sense of community and emotional validation, while professional support provides structured treatment and coping strategies.
“I have seen first-hand the benefits this service has given to clients while also in therapy, but I also imagine it can play a significant role for those waiting for, or not in treatment.
To experience compassion and support from someone who truly understands what they are going through could be the spark someone needs to set them on the road to treatment and recovery.”
At Been There, we recognise the value of both approaches. That’s why we ensure our peer supporters are well-trained and work in partnership with other professionals to make sure individuals get the right support at the right time.
Our approach is built on creating safe, supportive environments where people can share their experiences, connect with others, and feel empowered to overcome their challenges.
Been There’s Peer Support Mentoring
Recognising the need for flexible support, Been There provides online peer support through the ease of an App. We pair individuals with Mentors who’ve faced similar body image issues and come through the other side to Mentees who are currently struggling. Our Mentors offer a listening ear, guidance, and emotional support, drawing on their own journeys to inspire and uplift. This one-to-one approach allows for deep, personal connections, helping people feel truly heard and understood.
Been There’s mechanic allows individuals to access support from the comfort of their own homes, breaking down barriers for those who may not feel comfortable seeking help in person. Been There provides a vibrant, safe space where people can exchange experiences, offer encouragement, and connect with others on similar journeys.
First Class Mentor Training and Safeguarding for Been There
To ensure the highest level of care and trust, every Been There Mentor undergoes thorough training before they begin working with their Mentees. Prior to this, we ensure that our Mentors are ‘recovered’, as well as undertaking Enhanced DBS checks and references.
Our training programme covers essential areas such the 3 systems model, compassion and empathy, and providing non-judgemental support. We also equip our Mentors with the tools they need to recognise when professional intervention may be necessary, ensuring they can offer guidance while respecting their role as a peer, not a therapist.
Safeguarding is a top priority at Been There. All our Mentors are fully vetted, and we adhere to strict safeguarding policies to ensure that everyone involved feels safe and supported. We maintain clear boundaries between peer and professional support, and our safeguarding measures include ongoing mentor supervision, clear referral pathways to mental health professionals when needed, and comprehensive confidentiality policies.
By focusing on both training and safeguarding, we ensure that our peer support services are not only effective but also delivered with the utmost care and responsibility.
How to Get Involved in Peer Support for Body Image
If you’re currently navigating body image challenges and looking for someone who truly understands, Been There is here to help. Whether you want to connect with a Mentor one-on-one, join a workshop, or engage with our online community, our peer support services are designed to offer the right help at the right time.
Mentoring isn’t just about giving—it’s a deeply rewarding experience that allows you to grow personally while making a tangible impact on someone’s life. You’ll receive full training and ongoing support to ensure you feel confident in your role, and you’ll be part of a caring, like-minded community.
But our work wouldn’t be possible without the dedicated individuals who give their time and energy to support others. If you’ve overcome body image struggles and want to make a real difference in someone else’s life, we invite you to consider becoming a Mentor at Been There.
It works
At Been There, we believe in the incredible power of peer support. Through shared experiences, empathy, and understanding, our Mentors and community help people facing body image challenges build the confidence and resilience they need to thrive.
But as our community grows, so does the need for more Mentors. If you’ve walked the path of overcoming body image struggles, you have the unique ability to make a difference for someone else. Your journey, your story, and your support could be the key to someone else’s recovery.
“Being a volunteer mentor with Been There has helped me feel less alone with my own struggles. It has felt incredibly rewarding being able to share with others things that have helped me with my own journey in order to help support them through their own.
I feel a huge sense of purpose knowing I can offer support to someone and be excited to hear them benefiting from our conversations. The community of mentors and those behind the scenes have all been lovely, and I am so glad I found Been There and have this opportunity.”
Joining our team of Mentors isn’t just about helping others—it’s about being part of a movement that’s changing lives.
It is a chance to use your lived experience to change lives for the better.
We’re always looking for people who are compassionate, empathetic, and ready to give back.
If that sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you.
References
Mind’s Peer Support Research: Mind, a leading UK mental health charity, conducted research highlighting the effectiveness of peer support in increasing self-esteem and empowerment, as well as reducing feelings of isolation.
- Mind (2013). Mental Health Peer Support in England: Piecing Together the Jigsaw. Available at: https://www.mind.org.uk/media/468634/peer-support-report-2013_mind.pdf
British Journal of Psychiatry Study: A study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry demonstrated that combining peer support with professional mental health services resulted in improved outcomes for people facing mental health challenges.
- Lloyd-Evans, B. et al. (2014). A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials of peer support for people with severe mental illness. British Journal of Psychiatry, 205(5), 388-396. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.113.141481
Journal of Mental Health Study: Another relevant study conducted in the UK and published in the Journal of Mental Health found that peer support contributed to better emotional resilience and recovery in individuals experiencing mental health difficulties:
- Repper, J., & Carter, T. (2011). A review of the literature on peer support in mental health services. Journal of Mental Health, 20(4), 392-411. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3109/09638237.2011.583947
