Psychological Services, Vol 23(3), Aug 2026, 441-461; doi:10.1037/ser0000996
The involvement of peer support specialists in behavioral health crisis response is growing. While their roles in warm lines, crisis-receiving, and respite centers have been studied, their participation in mobile crisis teams remains underexplored. This review identifies the contexts and strategies for implementing peer support within mobile crisis teams to inform broader adoption. Following Arksey and O’Malley’s methodology and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines, we searched MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, and APA PsycInfo, Sociological Abstracts, and Scopus through October 21, 2024. No peer-reviewed articles met the inclusion criteria. A gray literature search on October 28, 2024, using a web-based search engine, yielded 16 sources, which were extracted and assessed for quality. Using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research, we deductively coded all source documents by domain and inductively identified thematic patterns. Implementation strategies were also mapped to the Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change framework. Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research themes indicate that significant policy and local government initiatives facilitate innovation adoption within the outer setting. The lived experience of peers, their strong partnership ties, and the flexibility of incorporating peers are key innovation characteristics. Successful implementation depends on inner setting factors such as leadership alignment with policy, prioritization of recovery-oriented approaches, and resource allocation that fosters collaboration and accountability. Within the individual domains, team members must recognize the value and contributions of peers. Effective implementation may be compromised without strategic planning, early stakeholder engagement, and the development of transparent, accountable resources. Recognizing these determinants is essential for effectively prioritizing resources and advancing peer support in mobile crisis teams. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved)