An evaluation of peer-led self-management training for people with severe psychiatric diagnoses
| Date | 09 March 2015 |
| Pages | 3-13 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JMHTEP-08-2014-0020 |
| Published date | 09 March 2015 |
| Author | Eva Cyhlarova,David Crepaz-Keay,Rachel Reeves,Kirsten Morgan,Valentina Iemmi,Martin Knapp |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Mental health,Mental health education |
An evaluation of peer-led
self-management training for people
with severe psychiatric diagnoses
Eva Cyhlarova, David Crepaz-Keay, Rachel Reeves, Kirsten Morgan, Valentina Iemmi and
Martin Knapp
Dr Eva Cyhlarova is based at
Physiology, Anatomy and
Genetics Department, University
of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
Dr David Crepaz-Keay is the
Head of Empowerment and
Social Inclusion, based at
Department of Empowerment
and Social Inclusion, Mental
Health Foundation, London, UK.
Dr Rachel Reeves is based at
School of Health & Social Care,
University of Greenwich,
London, UK.
Kirsten Morgan is based at
Department of Empowerment
and Social Inclusion, Mental
Health Foundation, London, UK.
Valentina Iemmi is a Research
Officer, Personal Social Services
Research Unit, London School
of Economics and Political
Science, London, UK.
Martin Knapp is based at
Personal Social Services
Research Unit, London School
of Economics and
Political Science,
London, UK.
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to establish the effectiveness of self-management training as
an intervention for people using secondary mental health services.
Design/methodology/approach – A self-management and peer support intervention was developed
and delivered by secondary mental health service users to 262 people with psychiatric diagnoses living in
the community. Data on wellbeing and health-promoting behaviour were collected at three time points
(baseline, six, and 12 months).
Findings – Participants reported significant improvements in wellbeing and health-promoting lifestyle six
and 12 months after self-management training. Peer-led self-management shows potential to improve
long-term health outcomes for people with psychiatric diagnoses.
Research limitations/implications – Due to the lack of a control group, the positive changes cannot
definitively be attributed to the intervention. Other limitations were reliance on self-report measures, and the
varying numbers of completers at three time points. These issues will be addressed in future studies.
Practical implications – The evaluation demonstrated the effectiveness of self-management training for
people with psychiatric diagnoses, suggesting self-management training may bring significant wellbeing
gains for this group.
Social implications – This study represents a first step in the implementation of self-management
approaches into mental health services. It demonstrates the feasibility of people with psychiatric diagnoses
developing and delivering an effective intervention that complements existing services.
Originality/value – This is the first study to investigate the effectiveness of a self-management training
programme developed and delivered by mental health service users in the UK.
Keywords Service users, Peer support, Self-management, Mental health services, Recovery,
Mental ill-health
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
Mental ill-health is one of the most widespread health problems in the UK. According to recent
statistics, nearly 1.6 million people in England were in contact with specialist mental health
services in the year to March 2013 (HSCIC, 2013a). Mental ill-health also has significant
economic costs. In England, mental health conditions cost approximately £105 billion a year in
treatment, welfare costs, and loss of earnings (Centre For Mental Health, 2010). People who
use mental health services have a mortality rate 3.6 times higher than that of the general
population (HSCIC, 2013b), and they also have poorer physical health (De Hert et al., 2011).
There are also significant differences in death rates from lifestyle-related health conditions:
the mortality rate for people with mental health problems is approximately four times higher for
This project was funded by the Big
Lottery Fund, Wales. The authors
are grateful to Jo Ackerman and
Alyson Hammonds for their
assistance on the project, and to
Dr Helen Parsons for her advice.
The authors also thank Bipolar UK
for supporting the data collection.
DOI 10.1108/JMHTEP-08-2014-0020 VOL. 10 NO. 1 2015, pp. 3-13, CEmerald Group Publishing Limited, ISSN 1755-6228
j
THE JOURNAL OF MENTAL HEALTH TRAINING, EDUCATION AND PRACTICE
j
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