The Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice

Larsen, John; Griffiths, Christopher

2013 The Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice

doi: 10.1108/JMHTEP-04-2013-0016

Purpose– To evaluate the impact of crisis house admission in terms of mental health recovery and achievement of personal goals for people using the service. Design/methodology/approach– Mental Health Recovery Star (Recovery Star) and Personal Goal Scoring data were collected at entry and exit points in routine practice as part of a bespoke support planning process from 722 adults using one of three Rethink Mental Illness Crisis Houses. The adults had mental illness diagnoses including depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, personality disorder, and anxiety disorder. Findings– There were significant increases in all ten Recovery Star domains, for example: managing mental health (up 2.11 points (1-10 scale)), identity and self-esteem (up 1.56 points), trust and hope (up 1.48 points), and self-care (up 1.35 points). The analysis of Personal Goal Scoring data (scored on 1-10 scale) showed significant increases on how close people were to achieving their goals. For all goals listed there was an average increase of 2.5 point from 3 to 5.5, showing that people made progress during their stay in the service. Practical implications– Services provided by the third sector may offer an important contribution to support people's recovery and prevent admission to psychiatric hospital. Originality/value– The findings of the evaluation study support a growing body of evidence regarding the effectiveness of services offering alternatives to admission, and they highlight the value of using recovery-oriented support planning and outcome capture tools in routine practice.

Oh, Hans; Noordsy, Douglas; Roberts, Glenn

2013 The Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice

doi: 10.1108/JMHTEP-11-2012-0038

Purpose– To galvanize practical discussion about how to modify psychiatry residency programs to instill the recovery paradigm into students who will become psychiatrists. Design/methodology/approach– A review of relevant literature is undertaken. Findings– Eight suggestions are offered to help residency programs initiate conversations about recovery. Originality/value– There has been little, if any, discussion about how psychiatry residency programs must change in terms of curriculum and pedagogy.

Newton, Angela; Beales, Anne; A. Collins, Daniela; Basset, Thurstine

2013 The Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice

doi: 10.1108/JMHTEP-03-2013-0010

Purpose– This paper outlines the concept of service user leadership and both describes and reflects on an accredited training programme that enables mental health service users to take a leadership role. Design/methodology/approach– The authors argue for a service user leadership approach and the training programme is reviewed by previous participants Findings– Service users can take on a leadership role if they are given suitable and relevant training and development opportunities. Service user led training can be transformational. Practical implications– Commissioners of mental health services should consider how to support service user leadership programmes, which can reach places and achieve outcomes that traditional mental health services are unable to attain. Originality/value– The concept of service user leadership is relatively new and the training programme described in this paper is both original and highly valued by participants with many significant outcomes.

Gray, Benjamin; Larsen, John; Faulkner, Alison

2013 The Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice

doi: 10.1108/JMHTEP-03-2013-0008

Purpose– The physical health needs of people with mental health problems are currently under addressed and often ignored, both in training and in practice. The PRIMROSE trial intervention was designed to remedy that – focusing in particular on risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This paper describes how people with experience of using mental health services and carers contributed to the development of the PRIMROSE intervention. It draws out key messages for educators, researchers and practitioners. Design/methodology/approach– Using a case study approach the paper outlines how a Third sector organisation supported the study team in setting up a Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP), drawing on a pre-existing model and recent thinking about service user and carer involvement in research. It is described how the approach sought to engage wider involvement of people with an interest in CVD while also offering more focused input into specifically the development of the trial intervention. Findings –An innovative approach was taken whereby a large LEAP, comprising 27 service users and carers, was supporting the development of the study mainly through e-mail and web updates and feedback, while a sub-group of the LEAP, with eight members, met three times and had a focus on inputting ideas into the development of the intervention. The creation of a LEAP proved helpful to the project, resulting in an enhanced and more relevant intervention – summed up in a series of eleven recommendations. Appointment of an independent chair of the sub-group proved invaluable and there is learning from this project for other similar initiatives. Originality/value– This study has value for others who are developing practice interventions. A range of suggestions were made which will have relevance for training, ensuring that physical health issues are not ignored. There is much to learn too from the process of this project, for the involvement of service users and carers in research, education and in practice development.

Lawton-Smith, Simon

2013 The Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice

doi: 10.1108/JMHTEP-03-2013-0009

Purpose– This paper aims to provide a summary of where peer support currently sits in the UK mental health services policy and practice. It presents an overview of models of peer support; the UK national policy on peer support; evidence of the benefits of peer support; case studies of recent and continuing peer support in action; challenges facing peer support; and suggestions for developing peer support in the future. Design/methodology/approach– The paper selects and discusses evidence from academic literature and policy and practice on peer support within the UK. Findings– The evidence base demonstrating the benefits of peer support in mental health across the UK is increasing. This has persuaded UK governmental bodies to encourage the development of peer support services, of which there is a number of models and examples, although the current economic climate poses challenges to their development. Originality/value– Historically, peer support in mental health services across the UK has developed piecemeal. But at a time when policy-makers, health practitioners and people who use mental health services are increasingly recognising the benefits of peer support, this paper draws key evidence together and provides pointers towards the future development of such services.

Watson, Emma

2013 The Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice

doi: 10.1108/JMHTEP-04-2013-0015

Purpose– In April 2011, Nottinghamshire NHS trust created ten substantive peer support worker (PSW) posts following from a pilot project the previous year. Having learnt some valuable lessons from the pilot project, taking on new roles in in-patient settings involved development and learning from everybody involved. The aim of this paper is to provide an insight into this experience from the perspective of the PSW themselves. Design/methodology/approach– A personal narrative of the next stage of peer support is provided by a PSW employed by Nottingham NHS Trust. The learning journey, originally given as a presentation at Nottingham NHR Recovery demonstration day, is described in terms of the truths of peer support (PS). Findings– The role of PSW requires constant questioning, facing dilemmas and challenging situations. The second year of PS was a time in which the PSWs met these dilemmas and found their own solutions. The process has not been entirely easy for PSWs, all of whom have had to face situations, care settings and people that demand an unwavering focus on recovery and a compassionate understanding of each other as a team. Although the year has delivered challenges to the PS team, the process of learning from these and growing as a team has been highly rewarding. Originality/value– This is a unique personal reflection of the processes involved in developing a peer support relationship. This will be of interest to those planning to implement this process in the NHS or those who hope to work within a PS team.