Mental Health

Delivering maternal mental health through peer volunteers: a 5-year report

Int J Ment Health Syst. 2019 Sep 17;13:62. [Pubmed Abstract]

Atif N, Bibi A, Nisar A, Zulfiqar S, Ahmed I, LeMasters K, Hagaman A, Sikander S, Maselko J, Rahman A

Background
Maternal depression affects one in five women in low-and middle income countries (LMIC) and has significant economic and social impacts. Evidence-based psychosocial interventions delivered by non-specialist health workers are recommended as first-line management of the condition, and recent studies on such interventions from LMIC show promising results. However, lack of human resource to deliver the interventions is a major bottle-neck to scale-up, and much research attention has been devoted to ‘task-sharing’ initiatives. A peer-delivered version of the World Health Organization’s Thinking Healthy Programme for perinatal depression in Pakistan and India showed clinical, functional and social benefits to women at 3 months postpartum. The programme has been iteratively adapted and continually delivered for…

Effectiveness of the NAMI Homefront Program for Military and Veteran Families: In-Person and Online Benefits

Psychiatr Serv. 2019 Jul 5. [Pubmed Abstract]

Haselden M, Brister T, Robinson S, Covell N, Pauselli L, Dixon L

Objective
This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Homefront, a six-session, peer-taught family education program by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), delivered in person or online, for families or support persons of military service members or of veterans with mental illness.

Methods
Program participants completed online surveys at baseline, at the end of the program (postprogram), and at 3-month follow-up, which measured subjective empowerment, burden, coping, psychological distress, family functioning, experience of caregiving, and knowledge of mental illness. A mixed-effects model examined change over time.

Results
A total of 119 individuals (in person, N=63 [53%]; online, N=56 [47%]) enrolled. Participants showed statistically significant improvement on all dimensions between baseline, postprogram, and follow-up, except for…

Peer-Delivered Recovery Support Services for Addictions in the United States: A Systematic Review

J Subst Abuse Treat. 2016 Apr;63:1-9. [Pubmed Abstract]

Peer-Delivered Recovery Support Services for Addictions in the United States: A Systematic Review
Bassuk EL, Hanson J, Greene RN, Richard M, Laudet A

Abstract
This systematic review identifies, appraises, and summarizes the evidence on the effectiveness of peer-delivered recovery support services for people in recovery from alcohol and drug addiction. Nine studies met criteria for inclusion in the review. They were assessed for quality and outcomes including substance use and recovery-related factors. Despite significant methodological limitations found in the included studies, the body of evidence suggests salutary effects on participants. Current limitations and recommendations for future research are discussed.