Involvement in mental health self-help groups and recovery

AbstractObjectives: Changes in healthcare policy over the last decade emphasise care in the community over residential care. Self-help organisations may play a useful role in these circumstances. Against this background, the objective of this study was to obtain the views of members of the main mental health professions on the place of self-help groups in mental health care.Method: A postal survey of 255 mental health professionals from two health boards was carried out, using a semi-structured questionnaire that contained both open and closed questions. The responses obtained were analysed using descriptive statistics and content analysis as appropriate.Results: The response rate was 35% so results must be interpreted cautiously. Self-help groups are used particularly in the management of addictive behaviours, and are also considered useful in cases of mood disorder. In general, self-help organisations are seen as providing support to patients and their families; information on mental illness/health to the general public; and lobbying for services relevant to the needs of their members. Respondents were concerned that the philosophy and programme of a group should not conflict with established models of mental health. The impact of the organisational structure of the multi-disciplinary team on the referral pattern of the different mental health professions, and the role of group availability and accessibility on the decision to refer a patient to a self-help group is commented upon.Conclusions: While some professionals see a role for self-help organisations in the mental health care system, reservations expressed about a possible clash between selfhelp groups' approach and professional mental healthcare practice need to be addressed so that the potential of both positions can be realised.

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A Nutrition Behaviour Change Intervention Delivered Through Women's Self-Help Groups in India Is Protective Against Depression and Reduces Time Spent in Market Work

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzab035_035 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 127-127

Author(s):

Shivani Gupta ◽

Samuel Scott ◽

Neha Kumar ◽

Kalyani Raghunathan ◽

Giang Thai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Behaviour Change ◽

Time Use ◽

Leisure Activities ◽

Market Work ◽

Productive Work ◽

Self Help ◽

Social Leisure ◽

Self Help Groups ◽

Over Time

Abstract Objectives Women's self-help groups (SHGs), which operate at large scale in India, are an important platform for delivering behaviour change communication (BCC) and social support interventions to rural women. Little is known about how such group-based interventions affect women's mental health and time use. Methods The Women Improving Nutrition through Group-based Strategies (WINGS) study was a quasi-experimental impact evaluation, comparing 16 blocks (8 matched pairs) with SHG formation support; 8 blocks received a 3-year nutrition intervention (NI) with BCC topics such as nutrition, home-gardens and women's well-being, facilitated by a trained female volunteer; the other 8 received standard activities (STD) to support savings & livelihoods. We conducted repeated cross-sectional surveys of mother-child pairs in 2017–18 (n = 1609) and 2019–20 (n = 1841). We matched treatment groups over time and applied difference-in-difference (DID) regression models to estimate NI impacts. Outcomes assessed: (1) common mental disorder symptoms (CMD) (Self Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ) score, 8 or higher) and (2) time use, constructed using 24-hour recall data. Time indicators were the proportion of time spent on productive work (employed, agricultural work), reproductive work (cooking, caring for children etc.), and time spent on social-leisure activities (hobbies, socializing). Results Overall, women were 25 years old with 5 years of education and worked 10.7 hours/day. CMD were reported by 17% of women. DID estimates showed that CMD prevalence doubled over time among women in STD areas but did not change in NI areas (P < 0.01). Compared to STD areas, women in NI areas reported a larger decrease in time spent on productive work (DID: −5 percentage points (pp); P < 0.01) and larger increases in time spent on reproductive work (DID: +5 pp; P < 0.01) and on social-leisure activities (DID: +22 minutes, P < 0.01). Conclusions A BCC intervention delivered through SHGs in rural India protected against a secular trend in declining mental health and shifted women's time from market work to domestic and social-leisure activities. These findings add to a growing evidence base on the effectiveness of group-based interventions to improve women's wellbeing in developing countries. Funding Sources Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

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