I think it depends where you come from with it.

Peer work is kind of the "next big thing", really. In much of the mental health field, all kinds of organizations are dying to get a hold of people who have had personal experience similar to those of their clients, who have a good head on their shoulders so they can be trained to provide support, education and advocacy skills to their clients.

So... i think it also depends if YOU present it as a strength or weakness?

I know a lot of people who are using their experience as a mental health consumer as an asset, and they bring to the field- as a professional at this point- something many others can not... everyone from public health organizations to hospitals to insurance companies are scrambling to get peer employees.
Opinions are changing.

It's the latest thing, really. I think those who are resistant to it are being seen or soon-to-be seen as wanting to shut out those they claim to serve.

I only know because I've been pursuing these positions myself and know people who are currently working in these positions.