Many mental health providers are seeking guidance in designing and improving peer support programs for people with mental illnesses. However, the evidence base in this area is limited by lack of consensus on the core components of peer support. This research provides a comprehensive, nuanced view of peer support reaching people with schizophrenia. Results of a realist review of 355 sources and interviews with experts in the field are presented. Realist review is an approach to evidence synthesis that asks, ‘What works, for whom, and in what circumstances?’ Results include a typology of key functions of peer support (e.g., being there, linkage to clinical care and community resources, systems advocacy, ongoing support), documented benefits (e.g., decreased acute care utilization, increased recovery), and implementation recommendations (e.g., critical mass of peer workers, supportive infrastructure, an organizational recovery orientation). The book is intended for program planners, managers, and researchers.

Rosie Rudey loves chocolate. It's her very favourite food, and it helps fill the empty feelings in her tummy. When her stupid siblings annoy her, Rosie wants nothing more than to eat lots and lots of chocolate. One day, Rosie takes all of her family's chocolate and forms her own enormous chocolate mountain. She thinks it is beautiful and it takes away all her fuzzy feelings. But then suddenly, there's no chocolate left! And now Rosie is going to throw up. Luckily, Mum understands why Rosie acts this way. Written by a mum who understands, and her daughter, who is adopted, this endearing story will help your whole family to feel a bit better.

William Wobbly is having lots of wobbly feelings one morning but his mum is so busy that she doesn't notice. William Wobbly's worries worsen when he notices small changes at school. "Where's my real teacher?!" he wonders. He hides under his desk and he chews holes into his jumper, but even that doesn't take the wobbly feelings away. Luckily, his mum is here to help him cope when he's afraid. Written by a mum who understands, and her daughter (who used to have a lot of wobbly feelings), this is a story for children aged 3-10 with problematic coping habits.

Katie Careful has just moved in with her siblings and their new parents. Even if she's sad or scared, she smiles and smiles to try and hide her wobbly feelings. She clings on to her Mum's leg and won't let go and she even follows her to the toilet, banging on the door to remind her that she's there. Luckily, her Mum understands why Katie acts this way. Written by a mum who understands and her daughter, who is adopted, this insightful story will help your whole family to feel a bit better.

Callum Kindly is a kind and caring boy, who lives alone with his mum. That is until Katie Careful comes to stay with them who Callum thinks is a very weird child! Katie manages to get in the way whenever Callum wants to speak to his mum or have snuggle time. She cries and sulks on his birthday and she steals his toy car. Luckily, his mum can explain to him why Katie acts differently. Written by an adoptive mum and her daughter, this is a story that explains what it's like for children aged 3-10 living with foster or adopted children, or with new children in the family.

Charley Chatty likes shiny things, especially shiny pennies. Sometimes Charley thinks her siblings get more than her so she likes to keep the pennies safe in her pocket. Charley spots some pennies lying around the house, and puts them in her piggy bank. But she gets very nervous when her Dad starts looking for the missing pennies. Luckily, Charley's Dad is good at working out what might have happened and helps Charley to put it all right again. Written by a mum who understands and her daughter, who is adopted, this insightful story will help your whole family to feel a bit better.