What are the objectives of the Vet to Vet program?

The Vet to Vet program trains veterans to work as peer advisors to other veterans. The study by Barber et al. (2008), cited below, looked at anonymous surveys of 1,847 people from 38 veteran peer support programs and found that there was a positive association between program satisfaction and recovery and the duration and frequency of peer support. As the article states, peer support has been an important part of mental illness recovery programs in recent years. Research has suggested that peer support can be an important tool in the recovery of people with serious mental illness, including chronic illness. The objectives of this article were to document the delivery of peer support as part of mental health treatment and to monitor its implementation and outcomes.
Vet to Vet was developed by Moe Armstrong, a celebrated Vietnam veteran, and the program uses peer education and support at a range of VA (Veterans' Administration) locations, including VA hospitals, community clinics, and residential centers. The peer supporters are independent from the VA but receive support from the VA. The researchers in the article by Barber et al. found that participants viewed their experience positively. Participation in peer support was also associated in the study with stronger recovery attitudes and a stronger sense of engagement.
Source:
Barber, J.A., Rosenheck, R.A., Armstrong, M., Resnick, S.G. "Monitoring the dissemination of peer support in the VA healthcare system." Community Ment Health J (2008) 44:433–441. DOI 10.1007/s10597-008-9146-7.