Implementation of a peer-led mental health recovery program

The project will use an interventional implementation science approach: small-scale, researcher-led implementation of a program to explore outcomes and contextual influences. Program name The trial is an evaluation of the Honest, Open, Proud program. There is only one intervention arm, which comprises the Honest, Open, Proud program. The program consists of nine tasks in three lessons, plus a follow-up booster session. Timeframe The delivery format is flexible, but is usually delivered in three weekly two-hour sessions, with the two-hour booster approximately 3-4 weeks later. Total participation time, including program sessions, outcome measures and the feedback session is approximately 10-12 hours across 8 weeks. Procedures The lesson content includes: Lesson 1: Considering pros and cons of disclosing: Task 1 - Do you identify yourself as a person with mental illness Task 2 - Consider the pros and cons of disclosure Lesson 2: Different ways to disclose: Task 1 - Different ways to disclose Task 2 - To whom might you disclose Task 3 - How might others respond to your disclosure Lesson 3: Telling your story: Task 1 - How to tell your story Task 2 - How did it go? Task 3 - Honest, Open, Proud through peer support Task 4 - Putting it all together Booster Follow-up 1 - The decision to disclose Follow-up 2 - Peer support programs Follow-up 3 - What has changed Materials Each session comprises information about stigma and disclosure, worksheets and activities that encourage participants to think about their own views and choices, weigh up pros and cons and to make informed choices. Mode of delivery The program will be delivered face-to-face and in small groups of approximately 8 participants. The group format allows for discussion of key points and practice sessions for disclosure and story-telling in a supportive environment, facilitated by peers with experience being "out". Who will deliver the program? The program will be delivered by peer workers trained in the Honest, Open, Proud program. Peer workers will be invited to participate in the study at a training event on the Honest, Open, Proud program, hosted by the investigator team. Training is anticipated to be a single day event, and will be completed prior to recruiting any participants into the program. These peer workers will also be invited to participate in the research, by providing their views on the implementation of the program. However, attendance at the training and delivery of the program will be independent of participation in the research (i.e. research participation is not a requirement of completing the training). It is anticipated that approximately eight peer workers will participate, including the three study investigators and the peer workers who have already expressed an interest in the study. Location Data collection is planned for three distinct settings within one Australian capital city: community-based public mental health services, a university and a recovery-focused adult mental health learning organisation (Recovery College). Peer workers have recently been introduced into the city’s public mental health system, with positions in a variety of hospital and community-based settings. Group-based programs are already undertaken by at least one peer worker and opportunities exist to extend implementation to other peer workers. The program will be delivered and evaluated during usual peer work sessions. The second planned setting is a university. The investigator team, who are all peer researchers and educators, will facilitate the Honest, Open, Proud program for staff and students of the university as part of the wellbeing program. The program will be held on campus at times agreed with participants to accommodate study and work responsibilities. The third planned setting is a mental health Recovery College. The investigators and/or peer educators within the Recovery College will facilitate the program as part of 2019 second semester course offerings. The Recovery College has a specific focus on co-production and the importance of peer-led recovery, making it an ideal comparator for the other settings, in which these concepts are being introduced retrospectively.