Befrienders are carefully selected[Leff, J.P., Warner, R. (2006) Social inclusion of people with mental illness p.96. Cambridge University Press. . Retrieved October 2011.] Volunteering, from a variety of organisations and mental health charities, who are trained to provide support and companionship to lonely, or emotionally distressed, people.[Hewitt, R.D'O. (2007) Moving on: a guide to good health and recovery for people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, p.99. Karnac Books. . Retrieved October 2011.] Befrienders will usually visit for an hour or so per week.[ The meeting is usually arranged to suit the person's needs, either at home, or at a neutral venue. Some befriending schemes include , creative classes, or Support group.][
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Selection
Training can take upwards of 10 weeks before a befriender is allocated a case.[Abel, K. (1996) Planning community mental health services for women: a multiprofessional handbook p.229. Routledge. . Retrieved October 2011.] During the befriending process, continuous support is provided, through regular group meetings and individual meetings with a coordinator.[Susan Balloch, S., Hill, M.J. (2007) Care, community and citizenship: research and practice in a changing policy context p.203. The Policy Press. . Retrieved October 2011.] Befrienders assignments are chosen on the basis of ethnicity, gender (usually the same sex as the person requiring help[), age and needs of the person requiring help.][Somerville, P., Steele, A. (2002) Race, housing and social exclusion p.186. Jessica Kingsley Publishers. . Retrieved October 2011.]
Effectiveness
Unlike professional careers, such as , befrienders can become emotionally involved with their case, which often results in a more positive outcome as they are able to engage at a much deeper level.[Newton, J. (1997) Preventing Mental Illness in Practice p.11. Routledge. . Retrieved October 2011.]
See also
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Peer support
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Peer support specialist
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Befrienders Worldwide
