scholarly journals Initial Training for Mental Health Peer Support Workers: Systematized Review and International Delphi Consultation (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashleigh Charles ◽  
Rebecca Nixdorf ◽  
Nashwa Ibrahim ◽  
Lion Gai Meir ◽  
Richard S Mpango ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Initial Training ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Systematized Review ◽  
Strong Consensus ◽  
Support Work ◽  
Peer Support Work

BACKGROUND Initial training is essential for the mental health peer support worker (PSW) role. Training needs to incorporate recent advances in digital peer support and the increase of peer support work roles internationally. There is a lack of evidence on training topics that are important for initial peer support work training and on which training topics can be provided on the internet. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to establish consensus levels about the content of initial training for mental health PSWs and the extent to which each identified topic can be delivered over the internet. METHODS A systematized review was conducted to identify a preliminary list of training topics from existing training manuals. Three rounds of Delphi consultation were then conducted to establish the importance and web-based deliverability of each topic. In round 1, participants were asked to rate the training topics for importance, and the topic list was refined. In rounds 2 and 3, participants were asked to rate each topic for importance and the extent to which they could be delivered over the internet. RESULTS The systematized review identified 32 training manuals from 14 countries: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Scotland, Sweden, Uganda, the United Kingdom, and the United States. These were synthesized to develop a preliminary list of 18 topics. The Delphi consultation involved 110 participants (49 PSWs, 36 managers, and 25 researchers) from 21 countries (14 high-income, 5 middle-income, and 2 low-income countries). After the Delphi consultation (round 1: n=110; round 2: n=89; and round 3: n=82), 20 training topics (18 universal and 2 context-specific) were identified. There was a strong consensus about the importance of five topics: <i>lived experience as an asset</i>, <i>ethics</i>, <i>PSW well-being</i>, and <i>PSW role focus on recovery</i> and <i>communication</i>, with a moderate consensus for all other topics apart from the <i>knowledge of mental health</i>. There was no clear pattern of differences among PSW, manager, and researcher ratings of importance or between responses from participants in countries with different resource levels. All training topics were identified with a strong consensus as being deliverable through blended web-based and face-to-face training (rating 1) or fully deliverable on the internet with moderation (rating 2), with none identified as only deliverable through face-to-face teaching (rating 0) or deliverable fully on the web as a stand-alone course without moderation (rating 3). CONCLUSIONS The 20 training topics identified can be recommended for inclusion in the curriculum of initial training programs for PSWs. Further research on web-based delivery of initial training is needed to understand the role of web-based moderation and whether web-based training better prepares recipients to deliver web-based peer support. CLINICALTRIAL

scholarly journals Initial Training for Mental Health Peer Support Workers: Systematized Review and International Delphi Consultation

10.2196/25528 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. e25528
Author(s):  
Ashleigh Charles ◽  
Rebecca Nixdorf ◽  
Nashwa Ibrahim ◽  
Lion Gai Meir ◽  
Richard S Mpango ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Initial Training ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Systematized Review ◽  
Strong Consensus ◽  
Support Work ◽  
Peer Support Work

Background Initial training is essential for the mental health peer support worker (PSW) role. Training needs to incorporate recent advances in digital peer support and the increase of peer support work roles internationally. There is a lack of evidence on training topics that are important for initial peer support work training and on which training topics can be provided on the internet. Objective The objective of this study is to establish consensus levels about the content of initial training for mental health PSWs and the extent to which each identified topic can be delivered over the internet. Methods A systematized review was conducted to identify a preliminary list of training topics from existing training manuals. Three rounds of Delphi consultation were then conducted to establish the importance and web-based deliverability of each topic. In round 1, participants were asked to rate the training topics for importance, and the topic list was refined. In rounds 2 and 3, participants were asked to rate each topic for importance and the extent to which they could be delivered over the internet. Results The systematized review identified 32 training manuals from 14 countries: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Scotland, Sweden, Uganda, the United Kingdom, and the United States. These were synthesized to develop a preliminary list of 18 topics. The Delphi consultation involved 110 participants (49 PSWs, 36 managers, and 25 researchers) from 21 countries (14 high-income, 5 middle-income, and 2 low-income countries). After the Delphi consultation (round 1: n=110; round 2: n=89; and round 3: n=82), 20 training topics (18 universal and 2 context-specific) were identified. There was a strong consensus about the importance of five topics: lived experience as an asset, ethics, PSW well-being, and PSW role focus on recovery and communication, with a moderate consensus for all other topics apart from the knowledge of mental health. There was no clear pattern of differences among PSW, manager, and researcher ratings of importance or between responses from participants in countries with different resource levels. All training topics were identified with a strong consensus as being deliverable through blended web-based and face-to-face training (rating 1) or fully deliverable on the internet with moderation (rating 2), with none identified as only deliverable through face-to-face teaching (rating 0) or deliverable fully on the web as a stand-alone course without moderation (rating 3). Conclusions The 20 training topics identified can be recommended for inclusion in the curriculum of initial training programs for PSWs. Further research on web-based delivery of initial training is needed to understand the role of web-based moderation and whether web-based training better prepares recipients to deliver web-based peer support.

scholarly journals Youth Mental Health Peer Support Work: A Qualitative Study Exploring the Impacts and Challenges of Operating in a Peer Support Role

Adolescents ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 400-411
Author(s):  
Calvert Tisdale ◽  
Nicole Snowdon ◽  
Julaine Allan ◽  
Leanne Hides ◽  
Philip Williams ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Personal Growth ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Youth Mental Health ◽  
Training Support ◽  
Interpersonal Factors ◽  
Support Work ◽  
Peer Support Work

Youth aged 16–24 years have the highest prevalence of mental illness in Australia, accounting for 26% of all mental illness. Youth mental health peer support work is a promising avenue of support for this population. However, limited research has examined impacts on those who provide youth mental health peer support work. We aimed to identify the benefits and challenges of working in a youth mental health peer support role. Semi-structured qualitative interviews with seven purposefully sampled peer workers from a national youth mental health organisation in Australia were conducted. The interviews were thematically analysed. Six key themes were identified: (1) personal growth, (2) interpersonal factors, (3) organisational factors, (4) boundaries, (5) role acknowledgement, and (6) challenging situations. Key supportive factors included financial reimbursement, training, support, and role-related flexibility. Identified challenges included lack of role acknowledgement, role-related stress, and boundaries. Operating within a youth mental health peer support role is perceived to have positive impacts on personal growth and interpersonal factors, enhanced through financial reimbursement, supervision, and role-related flexibility. Perspectives on the most effective form of role boundaries were diverse however their importance in addressing challenges was emphasised.

scholarly journals A systematic review of influences on implementation of peer support work for adults with mental health problems

2019 ◽  
Vol 55 (3) ◽  
pp. 285-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nashwa Ibrahim ◽  
Dean Thompson ◽  
Rebecca Nixdorf ◽  
Jasmine Kalha ◽  
Richard Mpango ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Support Work ◽  
Peer Support Work

scholarly journals Typology of modifications to peer support work for adults with mental health problems: systematic review

2020 ◽  
Vol 216 (6) ◽  
pp. 301-307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashleigh Charles ◽  
Dean Thompson ◽  
Rebecca Nixdorf ◽  
Grace Ryan ◽  
Donat Shamba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Mental Health Systems ◽  
Resource Setting ◽  
Support Work ◽  
Peer Support Work

BackgroundPeer support work roles are being implemented internationally, and increasingly in lower-resource settings. However, there is no framework to inform what types of modifications are needed to address local contextual and cultural aspects.AimsTo conduct a systematic review identifying a typology of modifications to peer support work for adults with mental health problems.MethodWe systematically reviewed the peer support literature following PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews (registered on PROSPERO (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews) on 24 July 2018: CRD42018094832). All study designs were eligible and studies were selected according to the stated eligibility criteria and analysed with standardised critical appraisal tools. A narrative synthesis was conducted to identify types of, and rationales for modifications.ResultsA total of 15 300 unique studies were identified, from which 39 studies were included with only one from a low-resource setting. Six types of modifications were identified: role expectations; initial training; type of contact; role extension; workplace support for peer support workers; and recruitment. Five rationales for modifications were identified: to provide best possible peer support; to best meet service user needs; to meet organisational needs, to maximise role clarity; and to address socioeconomic issues.ConclusionsPeer support work is modified in both pre-planned and unplanned ways when implemented. Considering each identified modification as a candidate change will lead to a more systematic consideration of whether and how to modify peer support in different settings. Future evaluative research of modifiable versus non-modifiable components of peer support work is needed to understand the modifications needed for implementation among different mental health systems and cultural settings.

scholarly journals Combining online and offline peer support groups in mental health care: A qualitative study of service users� experiences (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica Strand ◽  
Deede Gammon ◽  
Lillian Sofie Eng ◽  
Cornelia Ruland
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Individual Interviews

BACKGROUND Peer support groups for people with long-term mental health problems are at the heart of recovery-oriented approaches in mental health care. When conducted face-to-face (offline) or on the Internet (online), peer support groups have proven to have differing strengths and weaknesses. Little is known about the benefits and challenges of combining the two formats. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to gain insights into the benefits and challenges of combining online and offline peer support groups facilitated through an Internet intervention designed to support recovery processes. METHODS In this exploratory and descriptive study, an e-recovery portal called ReConnect was used by service users in two mental health communities in Norway for 6-12 months. The portal included an online peer support forum which also facilitated participation in local in-person ReConnect-cafés. Both formats of peer support were facilitated by an employed service user consultant with lived experience of mental health problems and with training in peer support. Qualitative data about service users’ experiences of using the portal were collected through focus groups and individual interviews and inductively analyzed thematically with focus on benefits and challenges of peer support online and offline. RESULTS A total of 14 service users 22-63 years of age with various diagnoses, receiving services at both primary and specialist levels of mental health care participated in three focus groups and 10 individual interviews. Two main themes were identified in the analysis: 1) balancing anonymity and openness, and 2) enabling connectedness. These themes are further illustrated with the subthemes: i) dilemmas of anonymity and confidentiality, ii) towards self-disclosure and openness, iii) new friendships, and iv) networks in the local community. Three of the subthemes mainly describe benefits. Challenges were more implicit and cut across the subthemes. Identified challenges were linked to transitions from anonymity to revealing one’s identity, how to protect confidentiality, or to participation at face-to-face meetings in the local community. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests that online peer support groups and offline meetings complement each other, and the combination is mainly beneficial to users. The identified benefits appeared to arise from participants’ options of one format or the other, or that they could combine formats in ways that suited their individual values and comfort zones. We also identified challenges related to combination of formats, and both formats require appropriate facilitation of peer support. Combining online formats that enable anonymity, a non-judgmental atmosphere, and 24/7 accessibility regardless of location, with offline formats that foster local, in-person community ties, is a promising concept for facilitating recovery-oriented care, and warrants continued research.

Modern Technology and Mass Education

2008 ◽  
pp. 1806-1821 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Ali
Keyword(s):  
Interactive Video ◽  
Modern Technology ◽  
Learning System ◽  
The Internet ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Education Environment ◽  
Use Of The Internet

This case study examined the effectiveness and significance of the Internet and interactive video broadcasting as instructional and communication media in a global virtual learning system. The study explored how differences in students’ technology experiences, curriculum, cultures, and access to technology influence learning and student attitude in a technology-based distance education environment. The research also investigated whether the use of online references and materials is adequate and appropriate for successful distance learning. The setting was a virtual campus that linked universities in the U.S., Australia, and Canada with learning centers in different African countries. E-mail and face-to-face interviews, observations, and Web-based surveys were utilized to collect the data. The study reveals that students had mixed perceptions about the effectiveness of technology, with positive attitudes exhibited towards interactive video and some anxiety and dissatisfaction with the use of the Internet.

Peer support work for people experiencing mental distress attending the emergency department: Exploring the potential

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Brasier ◽  
Helena Roennfeldt ◽  
Bridget Hamilton ◽  
Andrew Martel ◽  
Nicole Hill ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Mental Distress ◽  
Support Work ◽  
Peer Support Work

A day in the life of a Peer Support Worker: One of those make or break visits

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-16
Author(s):  
Emma Watson
Keyword(s):  
Peer Support ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Support Worker ◽  
Content Type ◽  
One To One ◽  
Narrative Account ◽  
Support Work ◽  
Peer Support Work

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe the experience of being a peer support worker (PSW). Design/methodology/approach – Narrative account of a one to one meeting with a peer written from the perspective of a PSW. Findings – Key reflections centre on the importance of establishing and maintaining boundaries, the role of trust, and a different understanding of what constitutes risk. Originality/value – While there is a great deal written about the theory of peer support work, little is published about PSWs experience. This paper provides important insights into the nature of peer support work.

scholarly journals Difficulties Encountered by People With Depression and Anxiety on the Web: Qualitative Study and Web-Based Expert Survey

10.2196/12514 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (10) ◽  
pp. e12514 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renaldo Bernard ◽  
Carla Sabariego ◽  
Alarcos Cieza
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Comparison Group ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Framework Analysis ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Anxiety Group ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Group Experiences ◽  
The Web

Background Depression and anxiety are the most common mental health conditions, and they were identified as leading contributors to global disability in 2016. People with these conditions rely on Web-based resources as a source of accurate health information, convenient and effective treatment, and essential social support. However, a recent systematic review revealed several potentially limiting difficulties that this group experiences online and also suggested that there is a partial understanding of these difficulties as only difficulties associated with neurocognitive, but not sociocognitive, deficits were identified. Therefore, this study fills this knowledge gap and contributes to a more robust and fuller understanding of the difficulties this group experiences online. Objective The objective of this study was to identify the difficulties people with depression and anxiety experience when using the Web and the Web activities that are most associated with the experience of difficulties. Methods The study employed data triangulation using face-to-face semistructured interviews with 21 participants affected by depression and anxiety and a comparison group (7 participants) without mental disorders (study 1) as well as a persona-based expert online survey with 21 mental health practitioners (MHPs) who treated people with depression and anxiety (study 2). Framework analysis for both studies proceeded through 5 stages: (1) familiarization, (2) identifying a thematic framework, (3) indexing, (4) charting, and (5) mapping and interpretation. Results In study 1, 167 difficulties were identified from the experiences of participants in the depression and anxiety group were discussed within the context of 81 Web activities, services, and features. From these, 4 themes and 12 subthemes describing the difficulties people with depression and anxiety experienced online were identified. Difficulties relating to the subtheme lack of control over access and usage were the most common difficulties experienced by participants in the depression and anxiety group (19/21). Sixteen difficulties identified from the experiences of participants in the comparison group were discussed within the context of 11 Web activities, services, and features. Most participants in the comparison group (6/7) contributed to the subtheme describing difficulties with unexpected and irrelevant content. In study 2, researchers identified 3 themes and 10 subthemes that described the perceived difficulties people with depression and anxiety might experience online as reported by MHPs. Practitioners linked these difficulties with 22 common impairments, limitations in activities of daily life, and diagnostic criteria associated with depression and anxiety. Conclusions People with depression and anxiety also experience difficulties when using the Web that are related to the sociocognitive deficits associated with their conditions. MHPs have a good awareness of the difficulties that people with depression and anxiety are likely to experience when using the Web. This investigation has contributed to a fuller understanding of these difficulties and provides innovative guidance on how to remove and reduce them for people with depression and anxiety when using the Web. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) RR2-10.1007/978-3-319-21006-3_3

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