Mental Health

Standardization and Adaptability for Dissemination of Telephone Peer Support for High-Risk Groups: General Evaluation and Lessons Learned

Transl Behav Med. 2020;ibaa047. doi:10.1093/tbm/ibaa047. [Pubmed Abstract]

Evans M, Tang PY, Bhushan N, Fisher EB, Dreyer Valovcin D, Castellano C

Abstract
Beyond demonstrated effectiveness, research needs to identify how peer support can be implemented in real-world settings. Telephone peer support offers one approach to this. The purpose of this study is to evaluate telephone peer support provided by trained peer staff for high-risk groups, implemented according to key tasks or functions of the Reciprocal Peer Support model (RPS) providing both standardization and adaptability. The methods used in the study include the review of contact data for years 2015-2016 from telephone peer support services of Rutgers Health University Behavioral Health Care, serving veterans, police, mothers of children with special needs, and child protection workers; structured interviews with peer supporters and clients; and audit of case notes. Across 2015-2016, peer supporters made 64,786…

Randomised clinical trial of community-based peer-led and psychologist-led group treatment for hoarding disorder

BJPsych Open. 2018 Jul 20;4(4):285-293. doi: 10.1192/bjo.2018.30. eCollection 2018 Jul. [Full Text Article]

Mathews CA, Mackin RS, Chou CY, Uhm SY, Bain LD, Stark SJ, Gause M, Vigil OR, Franklin J, Salazar M, Plumadore J, Smith LC, Komaiko K, Howell G, Vega E, Chan J, Eckfield MB, Tsoh JY, Delucchi K

Background
Treatment for hoarding disorder is typically performed by mental health professionals, potentially limiting access to care in underserved areas.

Aims
We aimed to conduct a non-inferiority trial of group peer-facilitated therapy (G-PFT) and group psychologist-led cognitive–behavioural therapy (G-CBT).

Method
We randomised 323 adults with hording disorder 15 weeks of G-PFT or 16 weeks of G-CBT and assessed at baseline, post-treatment and longitudinally (≥3 months post-treatment: mean 14.4 months, range 3–25). Predictors of treatment response were examined.

Results
G-PFT (effect size 1.20) was as effective as G-CBT (effect size 1.21; between-group…

The experiences of lay health workers trained in task-shifting psychological interventions: a qualitative systematic review

Int J Ment Health Syst. 2019 Oct 14;13:64. doi: 10.1186/s13033-019-0320-9. eCollection 2019. [Pubmed Abstract]

Shahmalak U, Blakemore A, Waheed MW, Waheed W

Introduction
The prevalence of common mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety, is high and the demand for psychological interventions and talking therapies is increasing. In order to meet this need, it is necessary to explore alternative methods to deliver talking therapies. Training lay health workers (LHWs) to deliver psychological interventions might be one possible solution to address current gaps in service provision. A number of studies have successfully used this approach to deliver psychological interventions in order to meet the demand for mental health care. Despite increased interest in this area, the evidence has not been synthesised or systematically reviewed.

Methods
Electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBBASE, PsycINFO and CINHAL) were systematically searched to specifically capture studies on…