An evaluation of peer-led self-management training for people with severe psychiatric diagnoses
Please note: this is a legacy publication from CPEC (formely PSSRU at LSE).Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice 10 1
Purpose
This evaluation aimed 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 months, 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 issue 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.
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.