Are You Okay? Effects of a National Peer-Support Campaign on Mental Health

Nicole Black (nicole.black@monash.edu), Lachlan Deer, David Johnston and Johannes S. Kunz (johannes.kunz@monash.edu.au)
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Nicole Black: Monash University
Johannes S. Kunz: Monash University

No 2023-08, Working Papers from Centre for Health Economics, Monash University

Abstract: Peer-to-peer support is often a critical component of mental health programs, but evidence on the effect of peer-based support programs at scale is limited. Using quasi-experimental methods, we examine whether a prominent peer-based support campaign, “R U OK? Day”, affects short-term mental health outcomes in Australia. Using variation in daily records and differences in the campaign’s intensity over nine years, we find no evidence that “R U OK? Day” reduces suicides and suicidal behaviours in the month after the campaign. However, we find positive effects on mental wellbeing, particularly among middle-aged males, with improved social support the likely mechanism. Our results provide evidence that peer support campaigns may be a practical, low-cost approach to improve population mental wellbeing.

Keywords: Peer-to-Peer; Mental Health; Program Evaluation; Suicide Prevention (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I10 I30 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023-09
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-hea and nep-ure
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