1. How do we build evidence for peer-based youth initiatives? Ms Roanna Lobo Research Associate Western Australian Centre for Health Promotion Research (WACHPR) Curtin University of Technology Dr Ann Dadich Research Fellow Centre for Industry and Innovation Studies (CInIS) University of Western Sydney

2. Overview What are peer-based youth initiatives? Importance of evidence Challenges Interest group

3. Community-based Peer education, peer leadership, peer support, peer mentoring, peer advocacy Influence wellbeing through social participation and freedom from discrimination Early intervention, preventative Definition

4. Associated Benefits Cognitive / behavioural / spiritual change Peer support Provide hope Safe environment Social networking Service information Personal development

8. Self-Help Groups “a nonprofit support group run by and for people who join together on the basis of common experience to help one another. It is not professionally run, although professionals are frequently found in supportive ancillary roles” (Madara, 1999)

9. Self-Help Groups 12 Step fellowships (Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous) GROW Schizophrenia Fellowship

10. The Need for Evidence Informs treatment options Informs resource allocation Informs government policy and funding priorities

11. The Need for Evidence NICS (Australia) National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices and AHRQ (US) NICE (UK) SIGN (Scotland)

12. The Need for Evidence Researchers “having clearly defined outcomes provides a common language across disciplines” Funding bodies “funding is an ongoing issue – more and more we are being asked to provide evidence our service is effective and having an impact” Service providers “it would be good to recognise some of the more subtle impacts our programs achieve”

13. Challenges Ensuring youth-friendly approach Time and resource restraints Knowledge/skill-base in staff Knowledge/skill-base in young people Measuring long-term/intangible outcomes

14. Interest in scientific research Inappropriate methodologies Inappropriate research methods Identifying service delivery standards Terminology Challenges

15. Interest Group Identify best / promising practices Continue debate on evidence Review standards Opportunities to test best practice Disseminate information Peer support

16. Contacts Ms Roanna Lobo Research Associate Western Australian Centre for Health Promotion Research (WACHPR) Curtin University of Technology roanna.lobo@curtin.edu.au Dr Ann Dadich Research Fellow Centre for Industry and Innovation Studies (CInIS) University of Western Sydney A.Dadich@uws.edu.au