Metaverse for mental health disorders:Opportunities and challenges

Several articles on the mental health impact of the metaverse and the need to balance its potential benefits with the risks of metaverse use has recently published.The metaverse consists of a combination of immersive technologies and artificial intelligence algorithms.The metaverse differs from the preceding digital psychiatric interventions due to its complex structure and interactions between components.The diverse functions of the metaverse ensure that it may have a substantial impact on mental health.However,the evidence for its efficacy in treating mental health disorders is limited to a few trials.The mental health benefits of immersive technologies are well-documented and suggest that metaverse-based psychiatric treatment may be similarly efficacious.The mental health risks of the metaverse are largely unknown,and it is not clear whether they will be greater than other digital psychiatric interventions.Much more research is needed to determine whether metaverse-based psychiatric treatment will meet the standards of appropriate mental healthcare.

Adverse effects of early-life stress:focus on the rodent neuroendocrine system

Early-life stress is associated with a high prevalence of mental illnesses such as post-traumatic stress disorders,attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder,schizophrenia,and anxiety or depressive behavior,which constitute major public health problems.In the early stages of brain development after birth,events such as synaptogenesis,neuron maturation,and glial differentiation occur in a highly orchestrated manner,and external stress can cause adverse long-term effects throughout life.Our body utilizes multifaceted mechanisms,including neuroendocrine and neurotransmitter signaling pathways,to appropriately process external stress.Newborn individuals first exposed to early-life stress deploy neurogenesis as a stress-defense mechanism;however,in adulthood,early-life stress induces apoptosis of mature neurons,activation of immune responses,and reduction of neurotrophic factors,leading to anxiety,depression,and cognitive and memory dysfunction.This process involves the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis and neurotransmitters secreted by the central nervous system,including norepinephrine,dopamine,and serotonin.The rodent early-life stress model is generally used to experimentally assess the effects of stress during neurodevelopment.This paper reviews the use of the early-life stress model and stress response mechanisms of the body and discusses the experimental results regarding how early-life stress mediates stress-related pathways at a high vulnerability of psychiatric disorder in adulthood.

Mental health in the virtual world:Challenges and opportunities in the metaverse era

Current rates of mental illness are worrisome.Mental illness mainly affects females and younger age groups.The use of the internet to deliver mental health care has been growing since 2020 and includes the implementation of novel mental health treatments using virtual reality,augmented reality,and artificial intelligence.A new three dimensional digital environment,known as the metaverse,has emerged as the next version of the Internet.Artificial intelligence,augmented reality,and virtual reality will create fully immersive,experiential,and interactive online environments in the metaverse.People will use a unique avatar to do anything they do in their“real”lives,including seeking and receiving mental health care.In this opinion review,we reflect on how the metaverse could reshape how we deliver mental health treatment,its opportunities,and its challenges.

Influence of initial check, information exchange, final accuracy check, reaction information nursing on the psychology of elderly with lung cancer

BACKGROUND As one of the fatal diseases with high incidence,lung cancer has seriously endangered public health and safety.Elderly patients usually have poor self-care and are more likely to show a series of psychological problems.AIM To investigate the effectiveness of the initial check,information exchange,final accuracy check,reaction(IIFAR)information care model on the mental health status of elderly patients with lung cancer.METHODS This study is a single-centre study.We randomly recruited 60 elderly patients with lung cancer who attended our hospital from January 2021 to January 2022.These elderly patients with lung cancer were randomly divided into two groups,with the control group taking the conventional propaganda and education and the observation group taking the IIFAR information care model based on the conventional care protocol.The differences in psychological distress,anxiety and depression,life quality,fatigue,and the locus of control in psychology were compared between these two groups,and the causes of psychological distress were analyzed.RESULTS After the intervention,Distress Thermometer,Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale(HADS)for anxiety and the HADS for depression,Revised Piper’s Fatigue Scale,and Chance Health Locus of Control scores were lower in the observation group compared to the pre-intervention period in the same group and were significantly lower in the observation group compared to those of the control group(P<0.05).After the intervention,Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30(QLQ-C30),Internal Health Locus of Control,and Powerful Others Health Locus of Control scores were significantly higher in the observation and the control groups compared to the pre-intervention period in their same group,and QLQ-C30 scores were significantly higher in the observation group compared to those of the control group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION The IIFAR information care model can help elderly patients with lung cancer by reducing their anxiety and depression,psychological distress,and fatigue,improving their tendencies on the locus of control in psychology,and enhancing their life qualities.

Therapeutic effect of the metaverse on mental health

López del Hoyo et al collections reported the meta verse based on the virtual reality,augmented reality and artificial intelligence could be used in the therapy of mental health,although there were still some challenges.This manuscript reported that the meta verse is a prospective method to improve the prognosis of mental health problems.

Shifting the Paradigm:A Fresh Look at Physical Activity Frequency and Its Impact on Mental Health,Life Satisfaction,and Self-Rated Health in Adolescents

As adolescent mental health problems are becoming a more serious issue globally,this paper explores the relationship of physical activity in adolescents and its frequency on mental health as well as examines the mediating effects of life satisfaction and self-rated health in order to provide a reference for the promotion of mental health in adolescents.A sample of 3578 Chinese high school students completed questionnaires assessing their mental health,physical activity frequency,life satisfaction,and self-rated health.The mean SCL-90 value for adolescents was found to be 1.629%,and 24.73%of adolescents had varying degrees of mental health issue.Increased physical activity frequency is positively associated with improved mental health(p<0.001).Additionally,life satisfaction and self-rated health were found to play significant mediating roles in the relationship between physical activity frequency and mental health.Specifically,low-frequency physical activity had the most pronounced mediating effect on mental health through life satisfaction,while high-frequency physical activity exerted the most significant mediating effect on mental health through self-rated health.These findings underscore the importance of promoting physical activity among adolescents and highlight the distinct pathways through which physical activity frequency can influence mental health outcomes.Further research is needed to explore these relationships in diverse populations and settings,as well as to develop targeted intervention.

Whole-process case management effects on mental state and selfcare ability in patients with liver cancer

BACKGROUND Regarding the incidence of malignant tumors in China,the incidence of liver cancer ranks fourth,second only to lung,gastric,and esophageal cancers.The case fatality rate ranks third after lung and cervical cancer.In a previous study,the whole-process management model was applied to patients with breast cancer,which effectively reduced their negative emotions and improved treatment adherence and nursing satisfaction.METHODS In this single-center,randomized,controlled study,60 randomly selected patients with liver cancer who had been admitted to our hospital from January 2021 to January 2022 were randomly divided into an observation group(n=30),who received whole-process case management on the basis of routine nursing mea-sures,and a control group(n=30),who were given routine nursing measures.We compared differences between the two groups in terms of anxiety,depression,the level of hope,self-care ability,symptom distress,sleep quality,and quality of life.RESULTS Post-intervention,Hamilton anxiety scale,Hamilton depression scale,memory symptom assessment scale,and Pittsburgh sleep quality index scores in both groups were lower than those pre-intervention,and the observation group had lower scores than the control group(P<0.05).Herth hope index,self-care ability assessment scale-revision in Chinese,and quality of life measurement scale for patients with liver cancer scores in both groups were higher than those pre-intervention,with higher scores in the observation group compared with the control group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Whole-process case management can effectively reduce anxiety and depression in patients with liver cancer,alleviate symptoms and problems,and improve the level of hope,self-care ability,sleep quality,and quality of life,as well as provide feasible nursing alternatives for patients with liver cancer.

Mental health and insomnia problems in healthcare workers after the COVID-19 pandemic:A multicenter cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND Healthcare workers(HCWs)are at increased risk of contracting coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)as well as worsening mental health problems and insomnia.These problems can persist for a long period,even after the pandemic.However,less is known about this topic.AIM To analyze mental health,insomnia problems,and their influencing factors in HCWs after the COVID-19 pandemic.METHODS This multicenter cross-sectional,hospital-based study was conducted from June 1,2023 to June 30,2023,which was a half-year after the end of the COVID-19 emergency.Region-stratified population-based cluster sampling was applied at the provincial level for Chinese HCWs.Symptoms such as anxiety,depression,and insomnia were evaluated by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7,Patient Health Questionnaire-9,and Insomnia Severity Index.Factors influencing the symptoms were identified by multivariable logistic regression.RESULTS A total of 2000 participants were invited,for a response rate of 70.6%.A total of 1412 HCWs[618(43.8%)doctors,583(41.3%)nurses and 211(14.9%)nonfrontline],254(18.0%),231(16.4%),and 289(20.5%)had symptoms of anxiety,depression,and insomnia,respectively;severe symptoms were found in 58(4.1%),49(3.5%),and 111(7.9%)of the participants.Nurses,female sex,and hospitalization for COVID-19 were risk factors for anxiety,depression,and insomnia symptoms;moreover,death from family or friends was a risk factor for insomnia symptoms.During the COVID-19 outbreak,most[1086(76.9%)]of the participating HCWs received psychological interventions,while nearly all[994(70.4%)]of them had received public psychological education.Only 102(7.2%)of the HCWs received individual counseling from COVID-19.CONCLUSION Although the mental health and sleep problems of HCWs were relieved after the COVID-19 pandemic,they still faced challenges and greater risks than did the general population.Identifying risk factors would help in providing targeted interventions.In addition,although a major proportion of HCWs have received public psychological education,individual interventions are still insufficient.

Optimization of nursing interventions for postoperative mental status recovery in patients with cerebral hemorrhage

BACKGROUND Hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage(HCH),the most common chronic diseases,has become a topic of global public health discussions.AIM To investigate the role of rehabilitative nursing interventions in optimizing the postoperative mental status recovery phase and to provide clinical value for future rehabilitation of patients with HCH.METHODS This randomized controlled study included 120 patients with cerebral HCH who were contained to our neurosurgery department between May 2021–May 2023 as the participants.The participants have randomly sampled and grouped into the observation and control groups.The observation group received the rehabilitation nursing model,whereas the control group have given conventional nursing.The conscious state of the patients was assessed at 7,14,21,and 30 d postoperatively.After one month of care,sleep quality,anxiety,and depression were compared between the two groups.Patient and family satisfaction were assessed using a nursing care model.RESULTS The results showed that the state of consciousness scores of the patients in both groups significantly increased(P<0.05)after surgical treatment.From the 14th day onwards,differences in the state of consciousness scores between the two groups of patients began to appear(P<0.05).After one month of care,the sleep quality,anxiety state,and depression state of patients were significantly better in the observation group than in the control group(P<0.05).Satisfaction with nursing care was higher in the observation group than in the control group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION The rehabilitation nursing model has a more complete system compared to conventional nursing,which can effectively improve the postoperative quality of life of patients with cerebral hemorrhage and improve the efficiency of mental state recovery;however,further analysis and research are needed to provide more scientific evidence.

Parental Educational Expectations,Academic Pressure,and Adolescent Mental Health:An Empirical Study Based on CEPS Survey Data

Background:This study aimed to investigate the relationship between parental educational expectations and adolescent mental health problems,with academic pressure as a moderating variable.Methods:This study was based on the baseline data of the China Education Panel Survey,which was collected within one school year during 2013–2014.It included 19,958 samples from seventh and ninth graders,who ranged from 11 to 18 years old.After removing missing values and conducting relevant data processing,the effective sample size for analysis was 16344.The OLS(Ordinary Least Squares)multiple linear regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between parental educational expectations,academic pressure,and adolescents’mental health problems.In addition,we established an interaction term between parents’educational expectations and academic pressure to investigate the moderating effect of academic stress.Results:The study found that adolescents whose parents had high educational expectations reported less mental health problems.(β=−0.195;p<0.001).Additionally,adolescents who had high academic pressure reported more mental health problems.(β=0.649;p<0.001).Furthermore,the study found that academic pressure had a significant moderating effect on the relationship between parental educational expectations and adolescents’mental health problems(β=0.082;p<0.001).Conclusion:Parental educational expectations had a close relationship with adolescents’mental health problems,and academic pressure moderated this relationship.For those adolescents with high levels of academic pressure,the association between high parental educational expectations and mental health problems became stronger.On the contrary,for those adolescents with low levels of academic pressure,the association between high parental educational expectations and mental health problems became weaker.These findings shed new light on how parental educational expectations affected adolescent mental health problems and had significant implications for their healthy development.

Impacts of Comorbidity and Mental Shock on Organic Micropollutants in Surface Water During and After the First Wave of COVID-19 Pandemic in Wuhan (2019–2021), China

The first pandemic wave of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)induced a considerable increase in several antivirals and antibiotics in surface water.The common symptoms of COVID-19 are viral and bacterial infections,while comorbidities(e.g.,hypertension and diabetes)and mental shock(e.g.,insomnia and anxiety)are nonnegligible.Nevertheless,little is known about the long-term impacts of comorbidities and mental shock on organic micropollutants(OMPs)in surface waters.Herein,we monitored 114 OMPs in surface water and wastewater treatment plants(WWTPs)in Wuhan,China,between 2019 and 2021.The pandemic-induced OMP pollution in surface water was confirmed by significant increases in 26 OMP concentrations.Significant increases in four antihypertensives and one diabetic drug suggest that the treatment of comorbidities may induce OMP pollution.Notably,cotinine(a metabolite of nicotine)increased 155 times to 187 ngL1,which might be associated with increased smoking.Additionally,the increases in zolpidem and sulpiride might be the result of worsened insomnia and depression.Hence,it is reasonable to note that mental-health protecting drugs/behavior also contributed to OMP pollution.Among the observed OMPs,telmisartan,lopinavir,and ritonavir were associated with significantly higher ecological risks because of their limited WWTP-removal rate and high ecotoxicity.This study provides new insights into the effects of comorbidities and mental shock on OMPs in surface water during a pandemic and highlights the need to monitor the fate of related pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment and to improve their removal efficiencies in WWTPs。

Clinical Analysis and Mental Health Survey of Hemophilia Carriers:a Cross-sectional Study

Objective:Hemophilia carriers(HCs),who are heterozygous for mutations in the clotting factor VIII/clotting factor IX gene(F8 or F9),may have a wide range of clotting factor levels,from very low,similar to afflicted males,to the upper limit of normal,and may experience mental health issues.The purpose of this study was to provide genetic information on mothers of hemophilia patients and to understand the clotting factor activity and phenotype of HCs.Additionally,we aimed to investigate the mental health status of HCs in China.Methods:A total of 127 hemophilia mothers,including 93 hemophilia A(HA)mothers and 34 hemophilia B(HB)mothers,were enrolled in this study.Long distance PCR,multiplex PCR,and Sanger sequencing were used to analyze mutations in F8 or F9.Coagulation factor activity was detected by a one-stage clotting assay.The Symptom Checklist 90(SCL-90,China/Mandarin version)was given to HCs at the same time to assess their mental health.Results:A total of 90.6%of hemophilia mothers were diagnosed genetically as carriers,with inversion in intron 22 and missense mutations being the most common mutation types in HA and HB carriers,respectively.The median clotting factor level in carriers was 0.74 IU/mL(ranging from 0.09 to 1.74 IU/mL)compared with 1.49 IU/mL(ranging from 0.93 to 1.89 IU/mL)in noncarriers,of which 14.3%of HCs had clotting factor levels of 0.40 IU/mL or below.A total of 53.8%(7/13)of HA carriers with low clotting factor levels(less than 0.50 IU/mL)had a history of bleeding,while none of the HB carriers displayed a bleeding phenotype.The total mean score and the global severity index of the SCL-90 for surveyed HCs were 171.00(±60.37)and 1.78(±0.59),respectively.A total of 67.7%of the respondents had psychological symptoms,with obsessive-compulsive disorder being the most prevalent and severe.The pooled estimates of all nine factors were significantly higher than those in the general population(P<0.05).Conclusions:The detection rate of gene mutations in hemophilia mothers was 90.6%,with a median clotting factor level of 0.74 IU/mL,and 14.3%of HCs had a clotting factor level of 0.40 IU/mL or below.A history of bleeding was present in 41.2%of HCs with low clotting factor levels(less than 0.50 IU/mL).Additionally,given the fragile mental health status of HCs in China,it is critical to develop efficient strategies to improve psychological well-being.

A concept analysis of vicarious resilience in mental health nursing

Objective:The introduction of the vicarious resilience concept in psychology and mental health nursing literature is a highly promising advancement.By utilizing this novel concept,experts in various domains can enhance their comprehension of how to foster resilience in individuals by observing and learning from the resilience of others.This concept analysis aims to elucidate the concept of vicarious resilience in mental health nursing by defining its related attributes,antecedents,and consequences.Methods:Walker and Avant’s strategy for concept analysis method was used.This review specifically examined mental health nurse providers.A comprehensive literature search was performed in the PubMed,Medline,the Cochrane Library,and CINAHL databases.The inclusion criterion was Englishlanguage documents on vicarious resilience within mental health nursing.Results:A total of 24 articles were included.The concept’s attributes were empathy,hope,resourcefulness,awareness,and spirituality.Antecedents were associated with listening to patients’trauma narratives,self-care,self-awareness,and support from colleagues.Consequences were enhanced well-being,changes in life goals,adaptation,personal growth,and increased personal resilience.Currently,there is only one tool in the empirical reference.Conclusion:Interpreting the concept of vicarious resilience in mental health nursing and determining its characteristics can be utilized to design nursing interventions to develop vicarious resilience and enhance the quality of care in mental health facilities.

Effect of cognitive training on brain dynamics

The human brain is highly plastic.Cognitive training is usually used to modify functional connectivity of brain networks.Moreover,the structures of brain networks may determine its dynamic behavior which is related to human cognitive abilities.To study the effect of functional connectivity on the brain dynamics,the dynamic model based on functional connections of the brain and the Hindmarsh–Rose model is utilized in this work.The resting-state fMRI data from the experimental group undergoing abacus-based mental calculation(AMC)training and from the control group are used to construct the functional brain networks.The dynamic behavior of brain at the resting and task states for the AMC group and the control group are simulated with the above-mentioned dynamic model.In the resting state,there are the differences of brain activation between the AMC group and the control group,and more brain regions are inspired in the AMC group.A stimulus with sinusoidal signals to brain networks is introduced to simulate the brain dynamics in the task states.The dynamic characteristics are extracted by the excitation rates,the response intensities and the state distributions.The change in the functional connectivity of brain networks with the AMC training would in turn improve the brain response to external stimulus,and make the brain more efficient in processing tasks.

Evaluation of dry eye disease symptomatology and mental health status among patients with different COVID-19 statuses

AIM:To evaluate dry eye disease(DED)symptomatology and mental health status in different COVID-19 patients.METHODS:A cross-sectional observational design was used.Totally 123 eligible adults(46.34%of men,age range,18-59y)with COVID-19 included in the study from August to November,2022.Ocular Surface Disease Index(OSDI),Five-item Dry Eye Questionnaire(DEQ-5),Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale(HADS),and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI)were used in this study.RESULTS:OSDI scores were 6.82(1.25,15.91)in asymptomatic carriers,7.35(2.50,18.38)in mild cases,and 16.67(4.43,28.04)in recurrent cases,with 30.00%,35.56%,and 57.89%,respectively evaluated as having DED symptoms(χ2=7.049,P=0.029).DEQ-5 score varied from 2.00(0,6.00)in asymptomatic carriers,3.00(0,8.00)in mild cases,and 8.00(5.00,10.00)in recurrent cases,with 27.50%,33.33%,and 55.26%,respectively assessed as having DED symptoms(χ2=8.532,P=0.014).The prevalence of clinical anxiety(50.00%)and depression(47.37%)symptoms were also significantly higher in patients with recurrent infection(χ2=24.541,P<0.001;χ2=30.871,P<0.001).Recurrent infection was a risk factor for high OSDI scores[odds ratio,2.562;95%confidence interval(CI),1.631-7.979;P=0.033]and DEQ-5 scores(odds ratio,3.353;95%CI,1.038-8.834;P=0.043),whereas having a fixed occupation was a protective factor for OSDI scores(odds ratio,0.088;95%CI,0.022-0.360;P=0.001)and DEQ-5 scores(odds ratio,0.126;95%CI,0.039-0.405;P=0.001).CONCLUSION:Patients with recurrent COVID-19 have more severe symptoms of DED,anxiety,and depression.

Causal relationship between circulating vitamin C and 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations and common mental disorders-a Mendelian randomization study

Mental disorders seriously affect people’s health and social stability.This Mendelian randomization(MR)study was designed to investigate the causal relationship between circulating vitamin C(VC)or 25-hydroxyvitamin D(25(OH)D)levels and mental disorders.The data used for the MR analysis were derived from the summary genome-wide association studies(GWAS)database for VC and 25(OH)D and from the Finn Gen consortium for fourteen mental disorders.Based on the inverse variance weighted(IVW)method,we found a potential causal association between circulating VC and anxiety disorders(IVW:OR=1.139,95%CI:1.023-1.269,P=0.018).However,no causal association was found between VC or 25(OH)D and other mental disorders(P>0.05).In the reverse MR analysis,individuals with Alzheimer’s disease was causally associated with higher concentrations of circulating VC(P=0.012),while individuals with anxiety disorders had a negative association between the concentrations of 25(OH)D(P=0.012).However,the current evidence does not support a causal relationship between VC or 25(OH)D and other mental disorders.In addition,there was no causal association between circulating VC and 25(OH)D(P>0.05).Future studies are needed to confirm these findings and to elucidate the mechanisms of potential causality.

Mindfulness training in medical education as a means to improve resilience,empathy,and mental health in the medical profession

The high rates of depression,burnout,and increased risk of suicide among medical students,residents,and physicians in comparison with other careers signal a mental health crisis within our profession.We contend that this crisis coupled with the inadequate acquisition of interpersonal skills during medical education results from the interaction between a challenging environment and the mental capital of individuals.Additionally,we posit that mindfulness-based practices are instrumental for the development of major components of mental capital,such as resilience,flexibility of mind,and learning skills,while also serving as a pathway to enhance empathy,compassion,self-awareness,conflict resolution,and relational abilities.Importantly,the evidence base supporting the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions has been increasing over the years,and a growing number of medical schools have already integrated mindfulness into their curricula.While we acknowledge that mindfulness is not a panacea for all educational and mental health problems in this field,we argue that there is currently an unprecedented opportunity to gather momentum,spread and study mindfulness-based programs in medical schools around the world as a way to address some longstanding shortcomings of the medical profession and the health and educational systems upon which it is rooted.

Psychosocial interventions for infertile couples:A scoping review

Objective:To bring out current evidence regarding psycho-social interventions for infertility care,and identify the best practices in clinical care.Methods:An in-depth literature review on infertility care intervention was conducted using data from multiple databases:PubMed,EMBASE,Google Scholar,and PsycINFO.The relevant articles selected were between 2008 and 2022.Results:A literature search turned up 1798 citations,of which 25 studies were included after rigorous analysis.Various intervention categories have been constantly utilised to provide support and promote mental health,of which acceptance and commitment therapy(ACT)and cognitive behaviour therapy(CBT)were used most frequently.The interventions exhibited diversity in both content and composition,and addressed a wide range of issues.Conclusions:The review emphasizes that psycho-social interventions have a positive effect on psychological issues,relationships,and pregnancies among couples and can be incorporated into fertility-care practices.

Multimodal emotion recognition in the metaverse era:New needs and transformation in mental health work

This editorial comments on an article recently published by López del Hoyo et al.The metaverse,hailed as"the successor to the mobile Internet",is undoubtedly one of the most fashionable terms in recent years.Although metaverse development is a complex and multifaceted evolutionary process influenced by many factors,it is almost certain that it will significantly impact our lives,including mental health services.Like any other technological advancements,the metaverse era presents a double-edged sword for mental health work,which must clearly understand the needs and transformations of its target audience.In this editorial,our primary focus is to contemplate potential new needs and transformation in mental health work during the metaverse era from the pers-pective of multimodal emotion recognition.

Experience of Mental Health Professionals Collaborating with Peer Supporters in a Community Mental Health Service Team

This study explored how mental health professionals collaborate with peer supporters with mental disabilities in a community mental health institution.From January 19 to February 23,2021,three 60 min interviews were conducted with six mental health professionals working at a Korean community center.The results were qualitatively analyzed and divided into four themes and eight categories.The four themes were the perceptions of and challenges in working with peer supporters with mental disabilities,conflict and confusion about working with peer supporters,forming partnerships with peer supporters,and policy support for peer supporters’job security.Participants reported vague anxiety about working with a peer supporter and difficulties with the trial-and-error process of adjusting to the role as challenging.Over time,however,they realized that they needed to make an effort to develop meaningful relationships with peer supporters and mental health professionals.Thus,through this study,we realized that there was a need to improve the system,such as building infrastructure for job stability for peer support workers and capacity building tailored to the mental disorders.Although peer supporters play various roles while working with mental health professionals,this study showed the possibility of mutual growth through communication and cooperation.These findings will help prepare systems necessary for collaboration between the two teams amidst the increasing institutionalization of peer support for mental disorders.